Fire, Sweat and Pastis

While collaborations bring together performers from all over the world, a project between Finnish and Beninese musicians still seems an unlikely one. In their second album, however, Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble have created a sound that feels, for the most part, unforced and free-flowing. There's not much in the music that screams ‘Finnish’, but the Nordic musicians do a great job in mixing the styles and rhythms brought by Beninese drummer and singer Noël Saïzonou with funk, soul and jazz.

The album is at its strongest when its sound is most African. ‘Djigbo’ is a driving Afro-funk workout featuring a West African horn section, and is probably the best of the set. There are a couple of pieces where the group go oddly indie-rock, creating a blandness that is at odds with the rest of the album. There are also a few places where the music takes a turn into full-on, spacey jazz-rock, which is less bland but still seems to lack the creative energy that is achieved in some of the best tracks here. Overall, Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble have made a fun record that contains some deep and danceable grooves.