Lucky 7 in the Nomads series finds BBC Radio Asian expert take over for a new selection of global music beats to put you in the travelling frame of mind.
Whether you’ve been to the various Supperclub venues (San Francisco, Singapore or Amsterdam) or are a collector of other Supperclub compilation series like Lounge, One World, Cruise or the current Ninesins such as Jealousy and the Pathaan compiled Beauty our in for a treat of the best of world music with Nomad 7.
Nomads is the eatery next to the club that’s an Arabian restaurant with Western influences but for this compilation, Pathaan slips into resident DJ Jimmy Jazz’ seat to get us in an eclectic groove with some of the best in world music mixtures.
So that includes some of our favourites at FLY of course with some reminders of some recent mega albums; Glyn BiggaBush with his ‘Preguntas Porque’ (from the album of last year 13 Faces of Lightning Head, the like minded Thievery Corporation with Radio Retaliation (just check out the guests on that one!) and the combination Nitin Sawhney and Ojos De Brujo as they get down the South American club mix way.
Whilst it’s more about the vibe than just big names, like the opener, electric mandolin player U. Shrinivas covers Sawhney’s original ‘Nadia (renamed ‘Riversong’) that is absolutely stunning (also check out our 101 on appreciating Indian classical music HERE).
But the dust doesn’t stay long on your sandals as before you know it, Pathaan gets into some dub breaks of San Francisco’s Bassnectar and some Balearic pacific dreaminess of ‘Brothers & Sisters’ (a Chris Coco and Rob da Bank Blue Room favourite a from a Fat Freddy’s Drop side project) and there’s the “nomadic ethic” reggae of Watcha Clan.
Tracks that’ll you’ll want to know more about are ‘Badji’ (don’t be put off by the name Amy Sacko), the Kora class of N’Faly Koyate (he of Afro Celt Sound System), the Mali/Danish mix of Moussa Diallo and the Zimbabwe/South African loveliness of Chiwonso’s vocals.
Still not convinced of the Diaspora Hi-Fi qualities? Try the Greek Bar-mitzvah beat and Balkan hi-stepping of Max Pashm as they up the tempo, the echo chamber of Thomas Blondet and Baaba Maal getting caught up in some ‘Organic Dreams’ of electric nightmare soundtrack (don’t expect Maal to be doing this on the upcoming African Soul Rebel tour that starts when this album comes out).
The album ends in a downtempo dubby mood with a ‘Peace Out’ and a ‘Weightless Place’ but the whole album, to use a well worn phrase, takes you on a journey; a musical nomads delight that’s really FLY! And if you can time playing the album ending with MC Yogi’s ‘Shanti’ with a sunset, you’ll have yourself a very special experience.
Reviewed: Various – Supperclub Presents Nomads 7: Compiled and mixed by Pathaan (United Recordings) Cat. No: SCN007 Released: 6th April 2009
Tracklisting:
1 U. Shrinivas – Riversong (3:47)
2 Amy Sacko – Badji (5:48)
3 Nitin Sawhney featuring – Ojos De Brujo – Shadowland (Club Mix) (3:12)
4 Bongmaster Inc – Brothers & Sisters (5:38)
5 Watcha Clan – Travellin’ Shoes (5:39)
6 Thievery Corporation – Sweet Tides (4:15)
7 Moussa Diallo – Koulekan (4:39)
8 Max Pashm – Manea-K (4:40)
9 Lightning Head – Preguntas Porque (4:37)
10 Thomas Blondet – One Time (Dub Mix) (2:50)
11 ZAD featuring – Baaba Maal – Organic Dreams (3:17)
12 N’Faly Kouyat?© – Kora Ballade (3:47)
13 Chiwoniso – Listen To The Breeze (3:45)
14 Bassnectar featuring Michael Kang – Dubuasca (6:22)
15 Eccodek – Weightless Place (5:18)
16 MC Yogi – Shanti (Peace Out) (5:33)
Links:
www.restaurantnomads.nl
Nomads, Rozengracht 133 I, Amsterdam tel: (020) 344 64 01
www.pathaan.com Pathaan’s Musical Rickshaw, BBC Asian Network Sunday 2-4; global beats, eclectic grooves and Asian chill.
www.supperclub.com
www.unitedrecordings.com
www.biggabush.co.uk
www.myspace.com/biggamusic
www.nitinsawhney.com
www.myspace.com/nitinsawhney
www.bassnectar.net
www.myspace.com/bassnectar
www.myspace.com/djtomb
