Save the World

I am always dubious of world discs where the promo material uses phrases like “a thrilling new global soundscape.” But this one won me over. Naples-born Avitabile & band are joined by a truly international cast of guests including Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, Khaled, & Baba Sissoko. Lots of percussion, horns & strings with sounds ranging from the mid-eastern funk to
Mediterranean folk. He’s got a cool, bluesy voice too.

1. Khaled’s vocals, horns, strings, a dancy rai-jam.
2. Midtempo w/some cool percussion & great strings.
*3. Masekela’s horn & solid percussion, vox, mid/uptempo. Cool.
4. Dark & downtempo w/good vocals..
*5. A bouncy happy thing w/excellent sax work.
6. Relaxed w/cool wailing vocals from Amina. Nice.
7. Mid/uptempo w/wailing vox, cool percussion, Kinda hypnotic.
8. A relaxed blend of vox/perc/flute w/a lyrical feeling..
*9. Great percussion/vocals/horn in a delicious folk dance.
*10. African percussion & a brass band, fast vocals, way cool!
*11. Umtempo folk dance w/wonderful strings.
*12. Voice & percussion, that’s all. Uptempo w/a driving energy.
*13. Live version of #5, equally cool w/an extra sense of passion.