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:

More reviews tagged #Blues

  • reviewed 03/2021

    DAMON FOWLER
    ALAFIA MOON

  • reviewed 12/2014

    TERRY GARLAND
    Rewired

  • reviewed 01/2012

    DICKY JAMES AND THE BLUE FLAMES
    Hard Rain

  • reviewed 09/2018

    BARBARA BLUE
    FISH IN DIRTY H20

  • reviewed 03/2012

    KILBORN ALLEY
    Four

  • reviewed 05/2017

    Eliza Neals feat. Howard Glaze and the Narcotics!
    10,000 Feet Below

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.