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Oh yeah! Trans Global Underground does it again. They have offered yet another gem that helps bring the average American into alignment with music from a wide world of foreign flavors and beats. Unfortunately, the "average American" prefers to listen to music industry crap and will never hear this wonderful album. Oh well, their loss. You, however, will gain if you buy this album!
I'm consistently amazed that people rate a band poorly when an album doesn't sound like what they expect it to. None of the reviews posted thus far clearly state how TGU have worked around the absence of Natacha Atlas (sigh -- I do miss her voice on this CD, but there are other pleasures here). The use of sitar is alluring, and the percussion is really first-rate. Vocals -- rather than the Arabic flair we're used to -- have a more African influence shining through. And I love that; I was never under the impression that TGU were supposed to be locked into a particular 'sound' at all, but they were to draw freely around the world. The production on this CD is incredible; the sound is just booming. TGU are still killer to dance to, and I found this to be a worthy addition to their already legendary influence on worldbeat/ethnotrance/ -- ah, screw the labels, you know what I mean.
I can't believe some of the other reviewers here are talking about the same album as me! I always assumed that fans of their music would be musically open minded, but here we have a load of people expecting to hear what came before. It's a progression, but still sounds recognisably TransGlobal. There's a slightly stronger bhangra influence on some tracks (due to new member Gurjit Sihra?), and some lovely African vocals from Doreen Thobekile Webster, but largely it remains the usual dubby world dance explorations you love 'em for! I think people overestimate the contribution of The Singer That Shall Not Be Named. She actually only appeared on a handful of tracks on each of the 4 previous "proper" TGU albums. Go and buy her album too if that's what you want! This release maintains the invention, wit and joy associated with all TGU line ups of the last 10 years. Buy it and listen with an open mind.
Why I gave this album only 4 stars when I first reviewed it I will never know. Not only do I now feel this is TGUs most solid release to date, I find it more moving and beautiful. Engrained deep within the haze of funk laiden sitar and world influenced dance is an incredibly sophisticated sound which takes time to extract. Don't expect to get the same thing out of the previous albums, this one stands on its own.
This cd was one of the biggest dissapointments of my music buying life. It is formulaic funk jam music with none of the Transglobal Underground magic that usually permeates their work...almost as if it was a poor cover band trying to be TGU...the sound of a band treading water. Every album prior to this I would have happily given 4-5 stars but this barely warrants the one. Although Natacha Atlas isn't the sole reason Tansglobal Underground have been so great in the past her presence/influence is sorely missed here.
I got an advanced copy of this CD two months ago, and I have been trying to like it since. My conclusion: This is just mediocre! Being an avid TGU fan since I first listened to 'Psychic Karaoke'in 1997, it seems to me like they just lost their edge over years. 'Psychic Karaoke' was their masterpiece ('International Times' is pretty good too), 'Rejoice Rejoice' was generally good, with a few bad songs like 'Shining Iron Face' and 'Son of Thingdrum'. 'Yes Boss Food Corner' even gets worse, with only a few standout tracks, including 'Pomegranate' and 'Steps Across The Edge'. Their distinct Middle Eastern sound and vocals are almost gone with Natacha Atlas (except 'Pomegranate'), the vocals are not good at all(simply there is nobody to replace Natacha Atlas), and musically they take less risks (may be attributed to the fact that Count Dubulah left the band), they stick to a generic funky ethno-dance sound without the nuances we are used to seeing in TGU music.And the lyrics of 'Spellbound' just made me laugh so hard. TGU have always had very interesting album covers, and this album is no exception. I still hope they come up with something with more original next time. At the meantime, I guess I will stick to Natacha Atlas ('Ayeshteni' eagerly awaited)and Talvin Singh ('Ha' is perfect).
TGUs best release was 100 Nations, no question. I was first introduced to this band by the reviewer here called Hardip, who has exquisite musical taste, so read the man's review and take note. I'm posting this because I have lost touch with him, and would like to find out what he's up to. I haven't heard this cd, because I was disappointed with Rejoice, and I saw TGU at a gig headlined by Banco de Gaia....they were wallpaper..and while I'm at it, I remember being at a festival in Brighton with said Hardip , and he recommended that I (then being somewhat narrow in musical focus) go see Burning Spear instead of Banco de Gaia. Never forgiven you for that mate. Send me an email - johnwillerton@boltblue.com.
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