Afrissippi - Fulani Journey (Electric Catfish Records)
Review by Ricardo

Another top record from the Delta Recording Service. Afrissippi matches Senegalese singer/songwriter Guelel Kumba with the North Mississippi hill country blues of Eric Deaton to extraordinary effect.

The story goes that Afrissippi was born when Kumba and Deaton, apprentice of Junior Kimbrough, discovered the similarity between Senegalese folk melodies and 'hill country boogie and cottonpatch trance' whilst hanging whilst hanging at R.L Burnside's house.

The result is an eerie blend that does seem to tap directly into 'The Blues' from both an African and an American perspective. It's trancey, and it's got boogie indeed. Kumba's vocals, in, apparently, five different languages, float across his rhythmic acoustic guitar whilst the band, variously made of of Deaton, Kinney (son of Jr.) Kimbrough, Cedric (grandson of R.L.) Burnbside, Jimbo Mathus and others, back things up with a fine dirty groove.

There's a great appearance, too, by activist-poet-jazz historian-promoter-DJ John Sinclair telling the story of the Fulani people, also featured on the bonus video track with the CD.

Electric Catfish Records describe this as 'World Boogie Music' and it certainly sits comfortably next to the Earnest Ranglin's in the 'World' section, but it's also a true blues record and what's more it's one that has something to add to the 'Blues' section.

Buy it now from: www.afrissippi.com