Karl Hector + The Malcouns - Sahara Swing (Ninja Freaks, 2008) ***

Once in a while I can appreciate more light-hearted, less artistic but still enjoyable music. And this one belongs to that category. The music is relatively simple, repetitive and superficial, but it has a great funky drive, and no other aspiration than to bring fun. It brings back musical concepts of the late 60s, especially because of the organ sound, but with the repetitive dance beat of modern music. The good thing is that the tracks are relatively short, so instead of falling asleep for lack of intellectual stimulation or emotional appeal, the variation keeps the attention going. Some of the tracks are great, as "Touré Samar", with a dry funky rhythm guitar, great bass and drums with a powerful horn section, and "Follow The Path", which ressembles some of Mulatu Astatqe's work, yet staying away from the great Ethiopian's soulful music. Don't expect the steaming magic of Fela Kuti either. It funks, it grooves, it sounds African, it sounds jazzy. Most pieces are just bland. I usually hate this kind of music, but well, apparently not today.

Karl Hector - Vocals, Percussion
Thomas Myland - Keyboards, Percussion
Zdenko Curulija - Drums, Percussion
J. Whitefield - Bass, Guitar
Stu Krause - Trumpet
Wolfi Schlick - Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet
Ben Abarbanel Wolff - Saxophone
Franz Brunner - Saxophone
Bo Baral - Percussion
Arsene Cimbar - Djembe, Vocals

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