History
Real World, 2023
10/10
On this 3rd album, the New York City outfit Bokanté tap into blues ideas, where lineage from West Africa and the Arab are present for the both retro and modern 9 tracks.
“Bliss” starts the listen with warm singing from Malika Tirolien amid the spirited guitar and very animated percussive sounds that complements the grungy qualities, and “Adjoni” follows with both rock and folk ideas present for the soaring and busy climate.
Further along, “Iliminé” glows with 4 percussionists that suit Tirolien’s energetic pipes, while “Tandé” is packed with grooves and hand percussion that emits a soulful mood of beauty.
Landing near the end, “Mikrob” flows with waves of sublime intimacy in the poetic delivery, and “History” exits with Michael League Guimbre’s hypnotic bass populating the dense percussive nature of the album’s best track.
The lyrics are mostly sung in Guadeloupean Creole, and they surround black history, global unity, the nonsense of war and the importance of rest, feelings and love. League, who has spearheaded the band since their inception in 2016, along with the percussionists André Ferrari (Väsen), Haddad (Sting, Paul Simon), Keita Ogawa (Cecile McLorin Salvant) and new member Weedie Braimah (Christian Scott), pen a truly global listen that commands attention.
Travels well with: Clinton Fearon- Breaking News; Artikal Sound System- Welcome To Florida