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Artist .....: Richard Bona
Title ......: The Ten Shades of Blues
Year .......: 2009
Genre ......: Jazz
Label ......: Wrasse Records
Source .....: CD
Bitrate ....: 191 kbps avg
khz ........: 44.1
Mode .......: Joint Stereo
Encoder ....: LAME v3.97 -V2 vbr-new
Reldate ....: 2009-11-11
Tracklist
1. Take One 0:53
2. Shiva Mantra 5:48
3. Good Times 4:31
4. MBemba Mama 4:04
5. Kurumalete 5:03
6. Souleymane 4:58
7. African Cowboy 5:05
8. Esukudu 4:35
9. Yaras Blues 4:15
10. Sona Moyo 4:56
11. Camer Secrets 4:47
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48:55
Release
Widely known in jazz circles for his virtuosity on
the bass, relatively little attention has been paid
to Richard Bonas solo career. Pity, as his solo
records are generally excellent. Bonas records
have a style that can only be referred to as world
music. Generally, that term is misused, but Bona
truly takes his influences from all over the world.
Sure, hes Cameroonian, and his heritage plays a
large role. But one can also hear overt references
to jazz, bluegrass, blues, European pop and much,
much more in Bonas music. This adds a sense of
unpredictability to his workits impossible to
know what to expect and so just about anything is
possible.
Bonas The Ten Shades of Blues continues in the
same vein. There are references to India, Africa,
and good ol down home Americana, all interpreted
with Bonas natural flair and effervescent smile.
As on most of his other solo work, the
multitalented Bona is everywhere and plays almost
everything. The album opens with Take One, a
choral masterpieceexcept all of the voices are
Bonas. Shiva Mantra follows, and here Bona is
credited with lead and background vocals, bass,
keyboards, guitars and percussion. Somehow, on this
track, Bona manages to be at the forefront of the
background, keeping the music grounded in jazz and
African traditions while being overtly Indian. Its
Indian religious musicwith a kickin bass line.
The special guests on the album also leave their
imprint. Shiva Mantra works due to the powerful
vocals of Shankar Mahadevan (John McLaughlins
Remember Shakti) and Nandini Srikar, as well as
Niladiri Kumars tasteful sitar. Good Times is a
showcase for R&B vocalist Frank McComb and
harmonica master Gregoire Maret. Ryan Cavanaugh,
Bonas compatriot in Bill Evans Soulgrass
ensemble, joins in on banjo along with fiddler
Christian Howes on African Cowboy, a rootsy
bluesgrass melange.
MBemba Mama is a highlight. A simple ballad,
Bonas light yet powerful voice fits perfectly,
with Jean-Michel Pilcs piano and Sylvain Lucs
guitars providing beautiful counterpoint. While
lighthearted, MBemba Mama is bubbling with
emotion. Bonas vocal incorporates just the
slightest bit of longing while managing to stay
positive.
Bona is certainly a talent deserving wider
recognition. His considerable musicianship speaks
for itself, and his passion for music is evident in
all of his work, whether as a sideman or a leader.
The Ten Shades of Blues continues his excellent
solo work, joining the likes of Scenes from My Life
and Tiki as essential.
Download:
http://hotfile.com/dl/19228230/68d1881/Richard_Bona-The_Ten_Shades_Of_Blues-2009.rar.html
