East to West

Baka Beyond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B000087DTX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,385 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #21 in Music > World Music > Africa > Cameroon

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Marrying traditional Celtic melodies and instruments with West African traditional rhythms and modern musical stylings like Highlife and Afro-pop may not seem like the most natural idea. But in the hands of Baka Beyond--a group that takes the term world fusion seriously, as it's roughly split between Celtic and West African musicians--the combination makes for a delicious musical stew that goes down smoothly. It's been five years since the group's last album, and longtime fans who discovered the band through its hugely successful Spirit of the Forest release in 1994 won't be disappointed. East to West is probably the group's most accomplished work to date.

Founded by English guitarist Martin Cradick and singer Su Hart, who lived with the Baka pygmies in the rainforest along the Cameroon-Congo border in 1991, Baka Beyond stands out from a world fusion crowd that includes groups like Deep Forest and the Afro-Celt Sound System by delving a little deeper than most into both the African and Celtic roots of its music. On East to West, instead of dropping in the occasional sample for exotic effect, the group places the disparate elements together in a live context with thrilling results: "Awaya Baka," where a chorus sung by Baka children melds with Paddy Le Mercer's Celtic whistle amid a funky Highlife groove; "An Gwirder," where Nii Tagoe's West African balafon and Alan Burton's bagpipes, based on similar pentatonic scales, mix seamlessly; and "Wandering Spirit," which fuses two Scottish jigs with a traditional Baka dance rhythm. --Ezra Gale

Product Description

The bands 5th album is a brilliant fusion of Celtic and West African musical traditions. Baka Beyond employs different ethnic influences to create their unique style, includes the Uillean Pipes from Ireland, The Kora from Senagal, songs that Martin brought back from his recent trip to the Conga rainforest and some Gaelic songs seamlessly combined with one of the best African Rhythm sections you are likely to hear. Includes enhanced video of Baka Music in the rainforest. 2002. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great One, February 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: East to West (Audio CD)

It's good to see that Baka Beyond is not resting on its laurels but has come out with another great, creative CD. Existing fans should not hesitate to get this. I've only had one complete listen-through but this CD seems to have more of a celtic influence than predecessors which is fine with me. Plus the djembe playing is excellent and more pronounced. While the group stays true to its acoustic feel, I was happy to hear some experimentation with electric guitar as well. Congratulations to Martin Cradick and company.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energizing and Utterly Amazing Music, August 23, 2003

By 

Lisa Caiafa "lyrafox" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: East to West (Audio CD)

I first heard Baka Beyond at a festival and was enthralled immediately. Their music is infectious and forces you to smile, sway and rock back and forth in your chair before finally being carried away and jumping up and dancing with full force in the aisle! Listen and be enchanted for yourself :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific fusion of Irish and Baka music!, March 12, 2007

By 

S. Magliocco (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: East to West (Audio CD)

Very successful mix of African and Celtic styles. The rhythm and syncopation of the Baka percussion, and their complex singing, provides a surprisingly interesting background for Irish lyrics and melodies. This goes to show how cultural mixings can produce really show-stopping aesthetics.