Record Reviews

DAWDA JOBARTEH / STEFAN PASBORG ~ LIVE IN TURKU APRIL 125 (Barcode: 5709498112527) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is a live album by the duo of Gambian kora player Dawda JobartehFind albums by this artist and Danish Jazz drummer Stefan PasborgFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, two each composed by Jobarteh and Pasborg, two are Jazz standards and one is a traditional tune. This is the 2nd album by the duo. The album sounds more like Psychedelic Rock from the 1970s, rather than an amalgam of West African music and Jazz, mainly due to the heavily amplified kora and powerful drumming, but of course the Jazz-World Fusion elements are also there, as expected, somewhat hidden beneath the surface. The result is very unusual and even sensational to a degree, which of course is always a welcome surprise. Both musicians are Masters of their instruments and obviously enjoy the musical rapport between them, which seems to have no clearly set stylistic boundaries. Personally I sort of miss the natural / acoustic sound of the kora, which is usually deeply lyrical, but I appreciate the attempt to take the instrument into new area, where it sounds more like electric guitar. I am not familiar with other recordings by Jobarteh, so I don’t know if this is his usual approach to this instrument. I also suppose that Pasborg’s drumming style herein is primarily accommodating the Rocky guitar-like excursions. Overall, this is a highly unusual album, which offers a Jazz-Rock Fusion musical excursion disguised as a Jazz-World Fusion one, but nevertheless remains to be exciting, surprising and educational. Appearances can be deceptive, and in this case they surely are, but all for the good. This album might be as exiting to Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist fans, as to kora and West African music enthusiasts. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 23/05/2024Posted: 23/05/2024

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