The big man of African music is back with a new album and shows that he still hasn't lost a single step of his smoothness. Still the king of
African jazz
, the breadth of his music is as wide as ever and he shows it here, whether on the heartfelt rhythms of the title cut, the churning
Afro-beat
of his
Fela Kuti
tribute,
"Big Blow/Abele Mood,"
or the
gospel
sounds that propel
"Sango Yesu Christo."
On piano, organ, sax, and singing, he's the linchpin of everything here -- in addition to being the composer of the music. It's one of his most satisfying records in a few years, with plenty of depth and emotion behind it, and some tight playing from the musicians. It's a very pan-African sound, and his time in Europe is also apparent, not from any studio gloss, but from the inflections in the sound which help connect the dots between Africa and the West. He continues to be a musical giant. ~ Chris Nickson