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For an album that clocks in at just under 50 minutes with only six songs and two radio edits one would assume that the latest offering from David Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters would drag, at least from time to time.  However, the opposite is true with “Kiama for Obama” introducing the listener to an eclectic mix of jazz, and the unique ka drums and vocals of Klod Kiavue and Francois Ladezeau.  On “Africa” Taj Mahal offers his Grammy award winning voice and immedietly changes the tone of the record from that of celebration to redemption.  It has to be said though that the radio edit truly does not do the whole piece justice and misses the call and answer of David Murray(on bass clarinet and tenor sax) and Taj Mahal trading verses.  With the addition of Sista Kee to “Southern Skies” Taj Mahal along with David Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters go into full funk mode. 

In typical David Murray fashion the song strays from traditional funk models with Taj Mahal coming close to reggae toasting and Sista Kee switching between soulful singing and spoken word that leans toward rap.  The title track also features Sista Kee singing over a rapid fire guitar, slapped bass and tribal drums.  The song waits until 2:25 for David Murray to make an appearance and when he does he comes in with a vengeance, dancing around the previously established rhythms with his tenor sax and building them to a crescendo before Sista Kee returns and the guitarists bring the song to a finale with a blazing guitar solo.  The final two tracks (“Congo” and “Canto Oneguine”) return the cd to the theme laid out in “Kiama for Obama” and bring the piece full circle with David Murray continuing to prove why he is one of the best tenor saxophonists in the world. -Geoff Hutchin