AFRICAN RHYTHMS AND BLUES

This combo took contact with German producer Manfred Schmitz with an already well- defined and rehearsed music realm that married Jazz (but don't say that to leader Lou Blackburn), Rock, and African /Ethnic rhythms. They were quickly recorded (legend has in one day) over an 8-track studio in Cologne, but the resulting album's sound is simply stunning, as is the anonymous artwork on the gatefold sleeve. The group is a brass- oriented quintet, with a drummer and a percussionist. Among the brass used are the trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, bamboo flute (not a brass, I know) and a variety of African instruments. Despite naming their combo after Kenya's second city and main sea port Mombasa, it appears that none of the musicians were of direct African origins, despite being black-skinned: leader and main songwriter Lou Blackburn is Jamaican and I'm pretty certain most of the others are American or British.

The music is an amazing amalgam that hovers between Nucleus, Santana and Osibisa, but it also rocks/funks out quite wildly. The lead-off track Nairobi (Kenya's capital and first city) starts on a wild bass line before Blackburn's trombone and Jefferson's trumpet trade superb licks and solo over an outstanding rhythm. Massaï is an even longer track that resembles its predecessor, despite an insisting bass & drum ostinato, but slowly drifts towards African/Mid-Eastern ambiances. Holz is drastically different ogling more towards Far-Eastern music with the bamboo flute and the appropriate percussions: there is also a Japanese-sounding named being thanked in the credits. Actually this Coleman-penned track stands out a bit too much, and despite being fairly short (by the album standard), it tends to overstay its welcome.

Opening on the African chants of Kenia (the German spelling I guess), the flipside presents roughly the same sonic landscapes, venturing wildly into Santana-esque (Caravanserai) and Nucleus-like soundscape but keeping in mind the Osibisa (African) influence at hand. Indeed the short Makishi is filled with African chants (and the typical whistle), wild jungle rhythms and some grandiose brass lines to frame the whole thing up. The closing Shango (some African animism/voodoo deity, I believe) is again on the same canvas as the longer tracks, with Luciano's bass shining, like it has throughout the album, but this time overdubbed and used as a lead instrument.

Released on the small and long-gone Spigelei label, Mombassa's profile remained unfortunately low, but the the first two albums received a Cd reissue on the Sonorama label in the second half of the 00's. Definitely one of the better ethnic jazz-rock albums ever recorded, Mombasa's debut is simply astounding and would deserve the perfect five stars if it wasn't for that dreary "Far-Eastern" thingie that pollute the album's continuity.

53-year old expat trombonist Lou Blackburn was living in Germany when he was wooed into trying to lead a band into adventuring in the new world of Jazz-Rock Fusion while, at the same time, celebrating the musical history and forms of Africa.

1. "Nairobi" (7:33) wah-wahed bass with drums and multiple percussion tracks creating an infectious groove over which trombonist Lou Blackburn solos. In the fourth minute trumpeter Charles Jefferson joins Lou for some harmonized horn banking before launching out on his own to dominate the fifth minute. Despite the electric bass, this song follows more of a traditional jazz form and sound. The play of the two soloists is solid but containing nothing to write home about whereas the bass and percussionists (and vocal leader) are pretty flashy. (13.5/15)

2. "Massai" (8:04) an okay song that feels more like an educational test for the band's unified syncopation and less of a dance or pop tune. (12.75/15)

3. "Holz" (4:23) Donald Coleman's bamboo flute plays over a slow, spacious weave of African percussion instruments. Nice for an African processional, not much else. (8.25/10)

4. "Kenia" (6:49) electric line sets up the African melody that the group chants with an African choir vocal until about 45-seconds in the band kicks into what sounds like it could be full Juju music but then it takes a few turns and feels more Caribbean or Santana-like as active bass, cowbell, congas, and Charles Jefferson's flugelhorn take us into the Carnival. Muted trumpet and trombone join together for a few coordinated bank bursts before a round of African chanting signals a turn toward full Santana-like Jazz-Rock Fusion for Lou to solo over. All throughout Gerald Luciano remains quite nimble in dancing over the fretboard of his electric bass and drummer Cephus McGirt as well on his rock-expanded kit throughout the song. The song finishes with a minute of all percussion (and some chanting) with Gerald's dancing electric bass. (13.25/15)

5. "Makishi" (2:36) bass, drums, and percussion (including clapping) provide a base for African call and response vocals. (4.375/5)

6. "Shango" (7:48) an African melody line is presented by Gerald's bass, within which Donald Coleman's congas and the two horn players weave their instruments. The musical weave smooths out so that the horn players can take turns soloing. The bass play takes the lead over the course of the song, really stepping into it in a jazzy Motown fashion, especially shining in the final two or three minutes. (13.5/15)

Total time: 37:15

The players are experienced and seasoned but the music of this first expedition is rather prosaic, more like simple jams based around traditional African rhythms and melodies from different regions and cultures of the continent. While Africa is trying to be celebrated here, it's really the electric bass, American brass, and variety of percussive instruments that should take the bows.

B/four stars; a very interesting if under-developed idea for musical project. I look forward to a little growth as I move forward from this band's debut.