Steven Halpern's forte is music for relaxation, but for
Afro-Desia, he draws on his jazz and African studies background to groove with master Nigerian drummer
Suru Ekeh (who died unexpectedly during the production of this album). Riding on the smooth fretless basslines ofMarc van Wageningen and the fancy drumwork of
Suru, the album has a snappy, yet mellow, tone. With the exception of the explosive "Chango" and "Wachamba," the drums rarely thunder, nor do instruments step up to take a solo. "Suru Smiles" is a joyous showcase of
Suru's drumwork.
Halpern -- who plays piano, synths, and electric guitar -- rarely takes center stage; he graciously comps piano and synth support lines for the fabric of voices, bass, and drums. "Legacy" is typical of the album.
Suru lays down a hypnotic drum pattern, while
Halpern casts extended synth tones that encase the piece like a rainbow; the fretless bass then enters to ground the piece with some delightful funk. Two highlights are the title cut, a clever treatment of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and "Ecstasy," which includes "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes. Also appearing are
Jai Uttal on guitar synth, Daniel Lauter on didgeridoo and rainstick, and Mac McCarty on soprano sax.
Afro-Desia is suitable for trance-dancing or as a joyous background energizer. ~ Carol Wright