Search - Nakodje :: Nakodje

Funky jazz fusion from Senegal

Bruce Whitehouse | Bethlehem, PA United States | 01/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Senegal is full of excellent bands these days, but Nakodje stands apart from the burgeoning scene there. Its songs, while relying heavily on Senegalese rhythms, also incorporate plenty of influences from outside the country. Part of Nakodje's unique appeal is its unusual instrumentation: one balafon (an African xylophone), one mbira (or thumb piano, not usually associated with West African music), saxophone and flute, electric bass, and drumset. The balafon-mbira blend is tangy and sharp, and probably unlike anything you've heard elsewhere. The sax/flute player is also notable, not only because he's the lone American in the group, but also because he plays the wooden "pastoral" flute just like the Peul herdsmen who invented it. This flute's breathy sound makes it a great solo instrument. Finally, Nakodje's drummer is adept at holding these diverse elements together with just the right beats and fills, and he never goes over the top unless it's called for.It's hard to know what to call this music: "jazz" doesn't begin to tell the story, although the soloing here is worthy of any fine jazz combo; "Senegalese pop" doesn't work either, since Nakodje's style is so different from any of the mainstream bands in Senegal. But whatever you choose to call it, it's unique, exciting and fun. Which is all that really matters."