Espace by Tama

04 Sep

Written by Mark Keresman
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Once upon a time I thought (and still think) one of the finest, most unique recorded examples of African/Western music fusion is Lukas Ligeti’s superb Beta Foly - now I’ll have to amend that (true) hyperbole slightly to include the album Espace by Tama. Those seeking some purist notion(s) of African sounds had best seek elsewhere, as Tama combine Malian and Senegalese sounds - acoustic, entrancing cyclic/repetitive with a bluesy tinge - with sleek (but not slick) modern sounds, courtesy of guitarist Sam Mills (formerly with the Brit electronic/experimental outfit 23 Skidoo). But rather than these styles clashing or the Africans trying to ‘dumb down’ their music to appeal to that Wider Audience, the Western elements dovetail with the West African sounds, making for an exciting, immediate, un-academic fusion. The ebullient rhythms bubble, the kora (an African lute-like guitar) sparkles like starlight, the grooves deep and sinuous, the vocals raspy and genial, and instruments not usually associated with African music pop in & out, like cello and some truly psychedelic, virtually guitar-like harmonica. The music herein is exciting yet unassuming, as if what Tama is doing is the most natural thing in the world. For fans of mod West African sounds in particular and world fusion fans in general: this gets the elusive three-thumps-up rating. [Tama may be touring the USA now, so look out.]

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Tama
CD Title: Espace
Genre: World Music
Year Released: 2002
Record Label: Real World / Narada
Musicians: Tama: Diakité Toumany: kora; Djanuna Dabo: vocals, guitar, percussion; Sam Mills: guitar, vocals; Mamani Keita: vocals; Susheela Raman: vocals; Vincent Bucher: harmonica; others.
Label Website: http://www.realworldrecords.com
Rating: Five Stars