Kwaku Kwaakye Obeng
He completely remakes "Round Midnight," a spare version wherein the talking drum entwines with Paul Austerlitz's bass clarinet to reveal the heart and soul of Monk's classic, heard anew. "Fine Fine Baby" gives a good-natured, syncopated ribbing to all who think that they know more than their parents and elders, and "Worship" offers testimony to the profound inspiration Kwaku derived from attending a Maroon drumming session in the escaped-slave stronghold of Jamaica's Blue Mountains. Things get brass-and-woodwind on the outro, "Thank You" (appropriately enough a nod to all the musician's many inspirations, with many subtly suggestive passages). One of a kind, this one, a recording that unfolds one well-paced beat at a time, the sturdy percussive foundation of an enduring piece of work. - Michael Stone
Visit the artist's web site: www.obeng.org
CD available from cdRoots
Audio: "Message" composed KK Obeng, (c)(p)2003 Innova Recordings
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