African Salsa Orchestra
Author: Mark Sampson
View album and artist detailsAlbum and Artist Details
Artist/band: |
African Salsa Orchestra |
Label: |
L''Oreille en Friche |
Magazine Review Date: |
November/2017 |
This eponymous debut celebrates three years since the African Salsa Orchestra was formed by Michel Pinheiro, long-time Beninese leader of Tiken Jah Fakoly's backing band, and Florent Briqué, a French trumpeter, whose jazz credits include Carla Bley's big band. The eight-piece ensemble, enhanced here by the Well Quartet's strings, feature musicians from Cuba, Congo and Cameroon, including pianist Patrick Bebey, son of the legendary Cameroonian writer and musician, Francis Bebey.
Such musical pedigree helps account for the compelling nature of all ten of Pinheiro's compositions. Since his lyrics tend to focus on such concerns as violence, disease and corruption, it's understandable that the orchestra lacks the kind of carefree brio we've come to associate with fellow West African salseros Africando. What they do have, in spades, is a distinct musical personality. It's characterised by Pinheiro's warm vocals (sounding remarkably like Ray Lema on ‘Kongo Kandevie’ and the delicious ‘Benin’), the rasping trombones of Pinheiro and Stéphane Montigny, and the sweet strings that ultimately leave an impression more of Cuba than Africa. There's a lot to like in this charming album that signals many more gems to come from the African Salsa Orchestra.
Such musical pedigree helps account for the compelling nature of all ten of Pinheiro's compositions. Since his lyrics tend to focus on such concerns as violence, disease and corruption, it's understandable that the orchestra lacks the kind of carefree brio we've come to associate with fellow West African salseros Africando. What they do have, in spades, is a distinct musical personality. It's characterised by Pinheiro's warm vocals (sounding remarkably like Ray Lema on ‘Kongo Kandevie’ and the delicious ‘Benin’), the rasping trombones of Pinheiro and Stéphane Montigny, and the sweet strings that ultimately leave an impression more of Cuba than Africa. There's a lot to like in this charming album that signals many more gems to come from the African Salsa Orchestra.
