Mwaliko

LIONEL LOUEKE: Mwaliko
Blue Note, 2010

WORLD JAZZ – This disc is a disappointment, not half as entrancing as Loueke’s previous work (try "Karibu"), but it still has some lovely moments. Originally from Benin, West Africa, LL lives in a sonic world all his own. The African flavor is unmistakable, but LL’s music also has a gossamer unreality to it, with delicately conversational guitar picking, falsetto singing and clicking vocal percussion. Despite several guest-star turns, this is a very intimate album: no track has more than a trio.

* * * | Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 5, 9, 12

1. 4:21 – Angelique Kidjo’s voice soars over happy guitar & mouth percussion
2. 6:03 – trio: vocal intro, then propulsive contemporary jazz, odd guitar effects
3. 5:30 – sweet, lilting duet w bassist/singer Esperanza Spalding; gentle solos
4. 4:43 – sleepy, syrupy duet with bassist/singer Richard Bona… yawn… ugh
5. 4:03 – cool scatting from Esperanza Spalding, settles into a sweet groove
6. 1:17 – slow solo guitar, intro to #7…
7. 6:10 – soft, trio drifts into quiet flight, upbeat fusion-y sounds, relaxed bop
8. 4:44 – enigmatic duet w/ drummer Marcus Gilmore, steady, near monotone
9. 2:29 – twisty guitar, walking rhythm, Angelique Kidjo’s voice adds force
10. 4:22 – lively but somewhat noodling trio jam with a fusion feel
11. 0:39 – brief guitar solo, knotty phrases separated by wide spaces
12. 4:34 – nice, relaxed African duo jam with Richard Bona

[ Fo ] 04/18/10