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 05/2008
CLARENCE SPADY
Just Between Us
reviewed 08/2008
TONY JOE WHITE
DEEP CUTS
reviewed 06/2007
Jimmy Hall
Build Your Own Fire
reviewed 08/2011
GEORGE HARMONICA SMITH
Teardrops Are Falling
reviewed 04/2015
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Fat Man's Shine Parlor
reviewed 10/2009
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Things About Comin' My Way: A Tribute to the Music of the Mississippi Sheiks

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.