Album Reviews

MARKUS JAMES

Snakeskin Violin

2008-03-14

Markus James has been dubbed "The Unofficial Dean of the Roots-World-Blues Movement." This disc makes him official. Recorded in Mali, the Mississippi Delta and California, James teams with Malian musicians such as Vieux Farka Toure, Tamashek women vocalists from Timbuktu and delta drummer Calvin Jackson to merge American blues with African roots music. The lines are so blurred that you can play this CD as either blues or worldbeat. "Weather Vane" (#7), "O.M. Boogie" (#8) and "Soon" (#15) are examples of brilliant merging of the genres. A remarkable effort that shows the seamlessness of Mali and Mississippi music. MJVD 03/08 B-Roots (or W-Fusion depending on your ears)

Quick Links:

all reviews | all blues reviews

More reviews tagged #Blues

reviewed 03/2010
ELMORE JAMES, JR AND THE BLUESDUSTERS
BABY PLEASE SET A DATE
reviewed 01/2017
Sugar King James and the Chess Masters
Tru Blu Mud - A Tribute To Muddy Waters
reviewed 11/2009
GRANDPA ELLIOT
Sugar Sweet
reviewed 11/2016
James Montgomery Blues Band
James Montgomery Blues Band
reviewed 11/2015
The Jack Moves
The Jack Moves
reviewed 04/2010
JIMMY THACKERY AND THE DRIVERS
LIVE IN DETROIT

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.