2008-03-14
Markus James has been dubbed "The Unofficial Dean of the Roots-World-Blues Movement." This disc makes him official. Recorded in Mali, the Mississippi Delta and California, James teams with Malian musicians such as Vieux Farka Toure, Tamashek women vocalists from Timbuktu and delta drummer Calvin Jackson to merge American blues with African roots music. The lines are so blurred that you can play this CD as either blues or worldbeat. "Weather Vane" (#7), "O.M. Boogie" (#8) and "Soon" (#15) are examples of brilliant merging of the genres. A remarkable effort that shows the seamlessness of Mali and Mississippi music. MJVD 03/08 B-Roots (or W-Fusion depending on your ears)MICK HUCKNALL
TRIBUTE TO BOBBY
KENNY 'BLUES BOSS' WAYNE
Rollin' With The Blues Boss
HONEYBOY EDWARDS
ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'
GURF MORLIX
Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense
SHELLEY KING
Welcome Home
BETTE SMITH
THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE BETTE
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