Afro-Desia

• Artist: Steven Halpern
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 30, 1996
• Total Time: 68:20
• Genre: New Age

Review

Steven Halpern's forte is music for relaxation, but for Afro-Desia, he draws on his jazz and African studies background to groove with master Nigerian drummer Suru Ekeh (who died unexpectedly during the production of this album). Riding on the smooth fretless basslines ofMarc van Wageningen and the fancy drumwork of Suru, the album has a snappy, yet mellow, tone. With the exception of the explosive "Chango" and "Wachamba," the drums rarely thunder, nor do instruments step up to take a solo. "Suru Smiles" is a joyous showcase of Suru's drumwork. Halpern -- who plays piano, synths, and electric guitar -- rarely takes center stage; he graciously comps piano and synth support lines for the fabric of voices, bass, and drums. "Legacy" is typical of the album. Suru lays down a hypnotic drum pattern, while Halpern casts extended synth tones that encase the piece like a rainbow; the fretless bass then enters to ground the piece with some delightful funk. Two highlights are the title cut, a clever treatment of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and "Ecstasy," which includes "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes. Also appearing are Jai Uttal on guitar synth, Daniel Lauter on didgeridoo and rainstick, and Mac McCarty on soprano sax. Afro-Desia is suitable for trance-dancing or as a joyous background energizer. ~ Carol Wright, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Afro-Desia	Steven Halpern	Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh, Suru	(4:03)
Dance of Strength	Steven Halpern	Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh, Suru	(3:26)
Chic to Sheik	Steven Halpern	Suru Ekeh, Suru, Steven Halpern	(7:10)
Astro-Glide	Steven Halpern	Suru, Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh	(5:13)
Ecstasy	Steven Halpern	Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh, Suru	(4:34)
Rhythm Method	Steven Halpern	Suru Ekeh, Suru, Steven Halpern	(4:53)
Changó	Steven Halpern	Suru, Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh	(4:17)
Wachamba	Steven Halpern	Suru, Suru Ekeh, Steven Halpern	(5:37)
Chant the Spirit	Steven Halpern	Suru Ekeh, Steven Halpern, Suru	(5:14)
Invocation	Steven Halpern	Suru Ekeh, Suru, Steven Halpern	(4:58)
Legacy	Steven Halpern	Suru, Suru Ekeh, Steven Halpern	(3:09)
Suru Smiles	Steven Halpern	Steven Halpern, Suru Ekeh, Suru	(4:34)
Voices on the Mountain	Steven Halpern	Steven Halpern, Suru, Suru Ekeh	(4:44)
Initiation	Steven Halpern	Suru Ekeh, Suru, Steven Halpern	(6:28)

Credits

Bruce Ricker (Paintings), Irene Young (Photography), Suru Ekeh (Vocals), Manuel Eduardo (Bass), Suru Ekeh (Shekere), Marc Van Wageningen (Bass), Tom Carr (Mastering), Daniel Lauter (Rainstick), Tom Carr (Pre-Mastering), Steven Halpern (Kurzweil Synthesizer), Suru Ekeh (Conga), Manuel Eduardo (Bass (Electric)), Marc Van Wageningen (Bass (Electric)), Suru Ekeh (Djun-Djun), Steven Halpern (Producer), Suru Ekeh (Bass), Bruce Ricker (Artwork), Suru Ekeh (?), Suru Ekeh (Drums), Suru Ekeh (Talking Drum), Robert Iriartborde (Engineer), Jai Uttal (Guitar (Synthesizer)), Suru Ekeh (Guitar (Electric)), Steven Halpern (Synthesizer), Steven Halpern (Guitar (Electric)), Suru (Performer), Suru Ekeh (Djembe), Daniel Lauter (Didjeridu), Roger Wiersema (Engineer), Suru Ekeh (Agogo), Steven Halpern (Piano), Bruce Ricker (Pai), Steven Halpern (Liner Notes), Mac McCarty (Sax (Soprano)), Suru Ekeh (Bongos)