Best known for playing clubs in and around Southern California, Native Vibe is bound to break out even further one of these days if their releases stay as exotic and fiery as this wild collection. Led by guitarist Bill Macpherson (who was born to American missionaries in Zaire) and Ghanan bassist Nee Sackey, Native Vibe blends all the playful, rolling vocal and guitar joys of South African township music with all types of world percussion patterns and a mix of jazz ranging from smooth to harder core fusion. "Distant Memories" rolls joyously along, with Macpherson leading the way with a high toned gallop before a raucous percussion fill and a switch to a distorted electric guitar. Arlen Schierbaum adds a hopping bluesy harmony effect on keyboards and takes a shimmering organ solo. At nine minutes, this wacky opener also includes an extended percussion jam by Jason Hann. Sackey's moody "Teardrop" harkens back to the Steely Dan sound, with Macpherson leading with a crisp electric melody over the moody Rhodes harmonies of Schierbaum. The disc is for the most part quite the party, but there are a few more spiritual minded respites along the way, including the meditative seven minute exercise "A Peace Within." Native Vibe doesn't stay down for long, though. Once peace is achieved, the explosive, chant enhanced township blues gem "Kopje" rumbles in with amazing emotional power. Macpherson infuses the tribal vocal anthem "Black Silk" with a tough Santana vibe.
© Jonathan Widran /TiVo