Is it "world" or is it "jazz"? The questions is posed by Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale, and his new group comprising Kadialy Kouyate, a kora player from Senegal, flautist and saxophonist Marcelo Andrade, from Brazil, and Nathan Thomson, who doubles on string bass and flute, from Australia. There are no theme-and-solos clichés, only creative originals, dipping into different traditions to make something eclectic, bright and distinctive. Kora and flute, sometimes twin flutes, combine beautifully, while the rhythms are positively primal.
Essentially, these are praise songs from black South America recast in contemporary form. Producer Gilad Atzmon guests on clarinet, and Adewale's regular employer, guitarist Antonio Forcione, also drops by. The vibe is exhilarating.
**** Manchester Evening News, Alan Brownlee