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Rhythm Tree

 
Album Review: Rhythm Tree

  • Artist: Baka Beyond
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 2004
  • Genre: World

Review

With Rhythm Tree, Martin Cradick continues his unusual but frequently brilliant project of combining musical elements from Celtic Europe and from the Baka people of the Cameroon rainforest. His trips back and forth between Cameroon and the U.K. have resulted in musical collaborations that, on this album, vary in quality and interest from the pretty but quite overlong "Kobo" to the gorgeous and complex "Boulez Boulez," and from the title track, with its mouthbow, yodelling vocals and sturdy thumping beat, to the lovely Afro-Celt fusions that offer some of the most engaging moments on the album. These include a wonderful waulking song titled "Sad Among Strangers," buttressed here by whistle, guitar, and Baka percussion, and the lovely "Hush Hush," on which Paddy LeMercier's low violin snakes its way through a classical guitar and hand-drum accompaniment. It's the Baka singing that is the most arresting sound on the album, though -- their voices sound like tootling whistles, and the melodies they sing are haunting and lovely. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Call of the Forest Baka Beyond, Baka Forest People (1:05)
Kobo Baka Beyond (6:16)
Sad Among Strangers Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (4:48)
Boulez Boulez Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (5:50)
The Rhythm Tree Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (5:39)
Hush Hush Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (5:38)
Bokissa Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (6:15)
La Londé Baka Beyond Baka Beyond (6:17)
Shimina Baka Beyond, Juliet Russell Baka Beyond (6:26)
Call of the Forest Baka Beyond (1:47)

Credits

Nii Tagoe (Djembe), Martin Cradick (Percussion), Pelembir Dieudonné (Vocals), Nii Tagoe (Sogo), Tiger "Tim" Robinson (Claves), Pelembir Dieudonné (Guitar), Su Hart (Vocals), Seckou Keita (Shaker), Tiger "Tim" Robinson (Drums), Seckou Keita (Sogo), Seckou Keita (Tama), Nii Tagoe (Logo), Paddy le Mercier (Violin), Tim Turan (Mastering), Seckou Keita (Kora), Martin Cradick (Engineer), Martin Cradick (Guitar), Ed Boyd (Engineer), Mbeh Prosper (Guitar), Seckou Keita (Logo), Sam Djengue (Claves), Martin Cradick (Mandolin), Martin Cradick (Vocals (Background)), Mbeh Prosper (Vocals), Paddy le Mercier (Whistle (Human)), Sam Djengue (Bass), Seckou Keita (Djembe), Sam Djengue (Vocals (Background))
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more