release date: Apr. 15, 2003
format: digital (14 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Lee Townsend
label: Nonesuch - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Boubacar" - 2. "Good Old People" - 4. "Baba Drame" - 5. "Listen" - 7. "Procissão" - 8. "The Young Monk" - 10 "Yála" - 11. "Perritos"
Studio album by Bill Frisell following his 2002 album The Willies is like most of his albums on Nonesuch produced by Lee Townsend and the majority of the tracks are composed by Frisell, although, this one also contains four by others and one traditional; however, the biggest change on this is probably the boldest inclusions of world music on any album by Frisell, which is also seen on the list of personnel and then it's also referred to in the album title. Several tracks honour famous musicians of world music, e.g. the first track "Boubacar", a tribute to Malian guitarist Boubacar Traoré, who again is composer of track #4. The album feature Malian percussionist Sidiki Camara, also on djembe, Brazilian guitarist and percussionist Vinicius Cantuária, Greek oud and bouzouki player Christos Govetas, American violinist Jenny Scheinman, and staple Frisell slide and pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz. Yes, this is indeed an intercontinental fusion, and the title of the album also became the name of this very ensemble, initially formed in 2001.
The album was met by international acclaim and is a perfect example of Frisell's continued journey to explore new musical soil. The album nicely balances African blues, latin grooves and rhythms, world music, and American roots music with ever-present americana.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, PopMatters 4,5 / 5, The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings 3,5 / 4, Mojo 4 / 5 stars ]
