Nuru Kane – Exile
Reviewed by Sadie O., 11/30/12
Northwest African fusion incorporating desert blues and Gnawa, Reggae, bits of Latin and Hip Hop. Kane is a fine singer and guitarist, and the musical styles, although quite diverse, are all quite pretty and enchanting.
1. 3:36 **mellow and pretty acoustic strings, swingy Highlife/Caribbean groove. Bit of African rap.
2. 3:51 **downbeat, low-key, slightly bluesy groove involving violin, definitely haunting feel suiting the song’s subject. Some rather wild vocal work.
3. 3:00 ***Gnawa groove, lower register instrumentation, Senegalese style vocals with maybe a hint of Latin tinge.
4. 3:51 ***very pretty acoustic guitar blues, very similar to American country blues; most of the Africanity is in the vocal harmonies of the chorus (and language). Sweet.
5. 3:54 **strummed acoustic guitar, violin, Andalusian styling (think Gipsy Kings).
6. 4:19 **ever so pretty! Tinkly harp and guitar, lovely vocal harmonies, very relaxed.
7. 3:42 **mbira and electric bass intro, uptempo instrumentation, with a bit of Hip Hop influence in some of the Western African vocals.
8. 4:11 ***country blues – with hints of Latin, Hip Hop, even some funk in the bass, and a sashay rhythm. Lyrics in French, giving it a bit of Cajun feel as well.
9. 3:53 ****loping midtempo Reggae shuffle, fun vocal style in French and English. Goes through some changes and ends up as ska.
10. 4:31 **back to very pretty tinkly guitars, mellow vibe, sounds like a fretless bass in there, too. Definite Andalusian tinge, as well as Gnawa percussion in last half.
11. 4:28 **Desert blues – gorgeous trembling solo acoustic guitar, very mellow (and somehow “timeless” sounding) baritone vocals, also pretty female vocal bits. Just really lovely.