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Sheer sound
rating: 4 stars

The Fra Fra Sound are extremely tricky to label: Afro-Caribbean funk. Kindof. Add a touch of contagious Latin American soul, a drop of blues, the roll of the African drum beat and a big band jazz feel - and you have a cocktail that will undoubtedly intoxicate you in the best way possible.

The name Fra Fra has several meanings: It means a hybrid, but also strange, different, mysterious: the invisible connection. Fra Fra is also the name of a tribe in North West Ghana. In that sense the bands name reflects the relationship between music, dance, religion and philosophy from the African Diaspora and West Africa. It is jazz with an unquestionable African ambience.

In a funky, swing-your-hips-and-tap-your-feet kind of way they provide insight into the original relationship between American Jazz, Surinamese music and African Rhythms. And it is a sweet relationship.

But who are The Fra Fra Sound?

The Far Fra Sound are an internationally acclaimed Dutch (essentially) 7-piece band formed in Amsterdam in1980. Various artists from different countries and different musical backgrounds have contributed to the Fra Fra Sound over the years - each time leaving a small token of their sound (like dripping wax on a candle…that looks more and more beautiful as the wax deposits build up and build up). They have 7 CD's bearing their name and have toured worldwide spreading their gripping and unique take on global jazz through concerts and workshops. (Including a South African tour last year).

This CD - The African Journey - is a compilation of selected works from previous releases by the Fra Fra Sound; including Third Life Stream, Kalinha's Serenade, Worship Mother Earth and Global Village Residents.

Why part with 100 hard earned bucks?

The compilation is exciting, funky and upbeat. At times mad and frantic (Jack Keroac, I think, would have loved to listen to this CD) and at times reflective in nature. Your heart will response to it - so will your soul…and, without fail, so will your feet.

Buy this CD - it will add a dose of funk into the coming winter days.