Cumbancha (label)
02 May 2012 (released)
02 May 2012
The Refugee All Stars last album 'Rise & Shine' was my personal pick for World album of the year in 2010 and it is still seeing service whenever I want to listen to music for pleasure. I think 'Radio Salone' might well join it
One of the outstanding features of this band is their ability to mix cultures and styles and make music that is alive and vibrant and the mix of West African chants and rhythms with influences from reggae and sunsplash is enough to get a corpse bouncing around the room.
They sing in five or six different languages and throw in sounds from all over but the bottom line is always music with huge hooks and something to grab the attention - just check out the Farfisa solo on 'Mother In Law' - while 'Reggae Sounds The Message' has elements of The Abbysinians or The Wailers in equal part. 'Kali' is a delicious piece of afrobeat, quite my favourite track on the album alongside the Afro-Ska of 'Big Fat Dog'.
A superb album, full of fun and listenable to from every angle imaginable. Treat yourself.
