This is an annual sampler for the forthcoming world music festival held in the gorgeous surrounds of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. These collections tend to focus on some of the bigger name artists, though experience suggests it’s often the smaller edgier artists who provide the surprises on the day.
They do however offer a taste of who to watch out for, and also work well as a compilation in their own right, the tenuous fact that the artists are united simply by their presence at the festival ensures a broad range of countries, styles and approaches. The highlight is of course Ethiopian singer Mahmoud Ahmed from the golden age of Ethiopian jazz and groove, who’s profile, particularly in the West was raised significantly by the incredible Ethiopiques series. It’s impossible not to be moved by the slinky grooves and fat horns of the piece here Ere Mela Mela, hell after a couple of listens you’ll be singing along. There’s also Jamaican groovers The Skatalites who are pretty much an institution, with the likes of a 12 year old Jackie Mittoo passing through their ranks, their piece New York Minute is an infectious skankin groove. Last year the US provided Dengue Fever, this year it’s the south of the border fado pop of Calexico. There’s also some really interesting Melbourne based afrobeat hip hop fusions from 16 piece Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, the guy from Transglobal Underground hooking up with Ethiopian singers as part of Dub Colossus, French vaudeville party machines Babylon Circus who mash ska, gypsy swing, dancehall, reggae, jazz and rock into one infectious upbeat brew, and in the royalty stakes Western Saharan singer Mariem Hassan.
There’s 14 artists presented here, many of whom you will have never heard of, yet that’s part of the magic and joy of this festival, after 5 days, or in the CD’s case an hour or so, your world will be rocked by something you could never have hoped to come into contact with otherwise.
Bob Baker Fish
