Baka Beyond East to West

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'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 their hugely successful Spirit of the Forest release in 1994 won't be disappointed with East to West; it's 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 such groups as Deep Forest and the Afro-Celt Sound System by delving deeper than most into both the African and the 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. Highlights include "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.

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Average customer rating: Terrific fusion of Irish and Ba'aka music! Baka Beyond - East to West Energizing and Utterly Amazing Music Another Great One

East to West Baka Beyond Manufacturer: Narada ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cameroon | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Spirit of the Forest Journey Between Rhythm Tree The Meeting Pool Volume 5: Anatomic ASIN: B000087DTX Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

1. Awaya Baka
2. Braighe Locheil (The Brais Of Loch Eil)
3. An Gwirder
4. Ra-Li-O
5. Wandering Spirit
6. A Thousand Curses On Love
7. Dans Les Jardins De Baya
8. Rakish Paddy
9. Silver Whistle

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

Customer Reviews:

Terrific fusion of Irish and Ba'aka music!.......2007-03-13

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, given the political controversy surrounding the use of Ba'aka intangible cultural property in a mix with European music. But problematic politics aside, from a musical point of view, it's very successful. The rhythm and syncopation of the Ba'aka 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. Too bad the Ba'aka weren't financially compensated for the use of their music. In the future, musicians wanting to use material from Third World peoples need to propery compensate them, the same way they would pay royalties to cover a piece composed by another musician.

Baka Beyond - East to West.......2003-09-11

This is some of the most incredible music I have heard in years. Every aspect of this album is superb and played to perfection. I especially enjoy the African percussion, fiddle, guitar,and vocals. You will find this music to be extremely uplifting. A masterpiece!

Energizing and Utterly Amazing Music.......2003-08-24

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 :)

Another Great One.......2003-03-01

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.

Average customer rating: Slick, ornate world fusion East to West - more of the best

Baka Beyond East to West Baka Beyond Manufacturer: March Hare ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000066JDA Release Date: 2002-05-28

Tracks:

1. Awaya Baka
2. Braighe Locheil (The Brais of Loch Eil)
3. Gwirder
4. Ra-Li-O
5. Wandering Spirit
6. Thousand Curses of Love
7. Dans Les Jardins de Baya
8. Rakish Paddy
9. Silver Whistle

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'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 their hugely successful Spirit of the Forest release in 1994 won't be disappointed with East to West; it's 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 such groups as Deep Forest and the Afro-Celt Sound System by delving deeper than most into both the African and the 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. Highlights include "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

Album 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.

Customer Reviews:

Slick, ornate world fusion.......2002-12-22

This glitzy mix of West African, Celtic, Asian and North American folk is the type of world-beat fusion goulash that stirs its fans into joyful conniptions and drives world music purists up the wall. This is their fifth album, showing a continuing refinement of the eclectic approach that brough them widesread fame back in the 1990s. At times, particularly on the more Irish-flavored numbers, UK-based vocalist Su Hart drifts in Enya-esque territory... however, I'm sure that won't be much of a problem for already-devoted Baka fans. If you liked their earlier albums, this one will not disappoint.

East to West - more of the best.......2002-12-03

More of what you've come to expect from Baka Beyond with a few interesting twists. The vocals are brought more into the foreground than in earlier albums but they don't drown out the rhythm or detract from the overall experience. The Gaelic influence in tracks 3, 4, and 5 remind me a lot of Afro Celt Sound System - another one of my favourite artists.

Although my personal Baka Beyond favourite is The Meeting Pool this album is great and was well worth the wait. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

East to West Baka Beyond Manufacturer: March Hare/Burnside ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002B6LEG Release Date: 2002-07-30

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