Bush Taxi Mali review

Cranky Crow 10/04 PLH A rooster crows among the hustle and bustle of a Malian street, then the notes played on a west African kora ring out, accompanied by soaring vocals on the opening track of Tucker Martine's field recording, Bush Taxi Mali.  Seattle-based producer Martine, recorded various sounds of the infamous west African country, Mali during a 1998 voyage.  Various ancient instruments such as the kora, balafon, ngoni (a lute that is a forefather of the banjo) and African flutes as well as, vocals, celebratory drums, roosters and yes, donkeys braying float off of this dreamy CD.  It's as if the listener is transported to Bamako, Kela, and Dogon country, hearing the sites and sounds from several west African cultures. Alan Lomax and his father knew of the magic created when recording the here and now.  When we focus on what is right in front of us, we can almost stop time and distill this human existence.  Certainly the Lomaxes and the ethnomusicologists that produced field recordings for the Nonesuch label's Explorer series knew how to stop time or at least preserve a moment of it.  Field recordings provide a history and cultural lesson in the round--it's an audio adventure in which you can almost taste ethnic food at a traditional wedding, feel the hot sun on your back and relish the sounds emanating from the musicians.  At least that is the case with Bush Taxi Mali.  It is a spiritual journey into the heart of ancient cultures thriving, culturally speaking, in the modern age. Mali is a fun recording filled with many enticing sound bites and gorgeous music performed in natural settings.  This CD would be a special treat for yourself or the world travelers, ethnomusicologists and documentary filmmakers on your list.