A jazz drummer by trade, Sven Kacirek’s interest in so-called 'world' music had led him to locations far off the beaten track, and 'The Kenya Sessions' is the result of an extended visit to the country, which saw him visit numerous remote locations in search of traditional sounds.
Although Kacirek touched up the recordings on his return to base in New York, adding overdubs and additional percussion, he’s done so with great sensitivity and an obvious feel for the spirit of the music he captured.
'Gracelands' it most certainly is not. In fact, it's closer to the Joujouka recordings Brion Gysin made that appear on 'One Night @ 1001', albeit given a little more polish. Kacirek's intervention has taken none of the vibrancy from the performances he captured.
The things that's most striking about the fifteen tracks featured on 'The Kenya Sessions' is their stylistic diversity. The range of tempos and moods is remarkable, and actually rather surprising. There are many instrumental pieces, which range from soothing jingles to darker, weightier vibes, even moments of glitchy semi-ambience, while the vocal pieces too span almost mantric chants to celebratory incantations and songs of joy. It all combines to make for a full and rounded listening experience, a real voyage of discovery, and Kacirek introduces a new slant to one of the less obvious sources of world music that makes it all the more worth exploring this album.
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Sven Kacirek on MySpace
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