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I didn't like this CD because the sound was so low, you could barely hear it. I do like Lionel L, but this CD was a disappointment. I returned the CD, and then again only received 1/2 of what I paid for it which was/is the policy on returning CD's.
There is no doubt that Loueke is a serious talent. Some very alert, alive playing here. The brief presence of veteran Wayne Shorter on sax raises the musicianship to quite a high level. But Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter can't counter what seems like a time warp back to the 1970's, with an improvisatory sound palette of what we used to call "modal noodling." ECM groups like Oregon come to mind.
Loueke is a very able vocalist, adding some interesting vocal clicks and pops and lovely African melodies to his guitar instrumentals. At first however his vocalizing in unison with the melody sounds like ancient George Benson revisited. Granted, he does it very well, but be prepared to hear some motifs that sound distinctly dated.
DESPITE these criticisms, I have really enjoyed this CD and intend to listen to it more. Not all the cuts are affected by the retro feel. The final impression is of a warm and original talent of considerable conviction whose musicianship is beyond question. This was my first sampling of his work, and I intend to look for more. 4 stars, recommended.
World ethnic jazz with warm vocals, beat and melodic guitar playing from LIONEL LOUEKE .A lot of african influences are presented with a vey balanced way in KARIBU .Kudos to all the members of the band .
Lionel Loueke had the good fortune to play guitar on the Album-of-the-year-winning "River" CD by Herbie Hancock. He had the misfortunate to get mixed low, so it's hard to hear most of his contributions. On his solo album, you get much more of Lionel. On the opening title track, he's playing African-style guitar and singing wordless vocals. Lionel brings in Herbie Hancock for "Seven Teens", and it has a much jazzier sound. Lionel's guitar style is not conventionally jazzy. It's more percussive, sometimes horn-like, and he doesn't run off a string of eighth or sixteenth notes. "Skylark" is back to the core trio. The bassist, "Massimo Biolcati" and the drummer, "Ferenc Nemeth", are a very good rhythm section. They sound good and creative in the jazzy or African-style songs. "Zala" is another trio song with unison guitar and singing, with some Dave Matthew-style (and I'm sure he cribbed it from an African artist) yelps signify the end of a verse. "Naima" has Wayne Shorter, and it references the melody, but is relatively abstract. "Benny's Tune" is the jazziest of the trio songs. "Light Dark" has Shorter and Hancock together. This is a similar lineup to the "River" CD. The big difference is that the guitar is mixed louder, so there are three prominent voices. It's a good song, and sounds unsurprisingly similar to Wayne Shorter's 21st-century output. "Agbannon Blues" is a good, bluesy song, and "Nonvignon" closes the CD with another African-style trio song. This is a pretty good CD. Some of the trio songs are a little light, and the guests dominate the songs they're on.
Incredible playing by Loueke and his guest musicians on his newest CD Karibu, on Blue Note Records. His playing is different from other guitarists I have heard perform recently. His style is unique and refreshing. His melodic approach is very much borrowed from traditional West African Benin music and is well blended to contemporary jazz. Magical. Loueke is exceptionally creative and is at ease with his instrument in the entourage of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.
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