Bolo

BOLO is the self-titled debut album by Bolo consisting of 3 musicians. Each one of the band members brings different musical & spiritual influence to this album. This is a fusion of music from Africa, India & US & is spiked with jazz & soul. Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church in San Francisco was a significant source of influence as was Jai Uttal, the San Francisco bay area bhajan singer.

BOLO also means “talk” in Hindi and I wonder if that is where the name of the self-titled
album is drawn from.

Play any track. They all work.

1. Xongo is a tribute to a Yoruba diety of West Africa. Interesting vocals.
2. Interesting fusion of bansuri or Indian flute with West African harp that forms the music bed for a a bhajan or Indian prayer or spiritual song. Beautiful.
3. Soulful vocal that starts slow & mid-way changes course & the musicians pick up their pace & tempo. Very nice.
4. Fast-faced track with an acoustic sound.
5. Haunting opening notes on the flute. Slow & mesmerizing & turns into a fast-paced tune.
6. Malian/Indian/Middle East influence in the opening chords & then the vocals kick in.
7. Beautiful & soothing with some vocals. Mix of West African/Indian.
8. Wonderful & infectious with a vocal line from Ali Farka Toure. Mix of West Africa/Middle East

Kamla July 2015