https://balimayaproject.bandcamp.com/

If I could rewrite the blurb on bandcamp a bit, I'd say:
16-piece ensemble! Loads of horns! Loads of percussion! London jazz meets rhythms and traditional instruments of the Mande peoples of West Africa! Polyrhythms on polyrhythms on polyrhythms! What are you waiting for!!!

That's pretty much all you need but a few more words: this isn't some fusion/glitzy world music project. It's got folks from Kokoroko and the Seed Ensemble and they come at the "hybrid" aspects in the most natural way possible.

It's just a great record with a lot of upbeat, driving tunes and top-notch musicianship that is hard not to dance to. Hard to describe why it's so good but it is already a favorite of the year for me.

A favorite:
Soninka/Patronba - https://youtu.be/Bmpz9tCOYyE -- this has a two-part title but honestly feels like it goes through at least three or four sections. Layers of percussion groove slow and steady at the start then layer on horns and then some vocals for a while; out of nowhere yet right where it should be, a cool electric guitar solo that doubles as a segue into the second part of the song, where, at least by the end, everything gets even bigger and the groove exchanges its cool for more intensity and drive.


-thebigfunk

~ i could still snort you under the table ~