"New Dawn Ku Khata"

Neco Novellas

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 Times Square/World Connection

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It would be fine if the debut from this sibling quintet from Mozambique included only the opening title track. The celestial, a capella piece is a reminder that (to paraphrase Superman) when used for good not evil, the human voice can be the most powerful instrument on God's earth.

The Novellas sing in Portuguese, Chopi, Xangana, Ronga and broken English, but it's the warm Soweto harmonies that anchor their music. They alternate between sweet and sensual Afro-pop ("Tsanganane"), beautiful ballads ("The Train"), spirited dance tracks ("Yeke Yo," "Afikile Afrika") and undulating syncopation ("Zula Zula" - on which I swear the women back-up singers are repeating "West Virginia").

Neco Novella was born and raised in Mozambique, but after his career took off, he studied in Portugal and Holland, where he discovered jazz. While those influences don't appear literally, his music has a subtle worldliness (not to be confused with "world music") that is expansive and inclusive.

"Vermetha" begins as a buoyant African piece and gradually morphs into a Samba thanks to Brazilian singer Lilian Vieira. After an opening of rich harmonies, "Phumela" is like a folk song that recalls Paul Simon's "Graceland." Ironically, African music has always been the music of joy and hope, and, given this pivotal point in our own nation, the Novellas music might be exactly what we need.

"New Dawn Ku Khata"

Neco Novellas

www.myspace.com/neconovellas

 Times Square/World Connection

_______

It would be fine if the debut from this sibling quintet from Mozambique included only the opening title track. The celestial, a capella piece is a reminder that (to paraphrase Superman) when used for good not evil, the human voice can be the most powerful instrument on God's earth.

The Novellas sing in Portuguese, Chopi, Xangana, Ronga and broken English, but it's the warm Soweto harmonies that anchor their music. They alternate between sweet and sensual Afro-pop ("Tsanganane"), beautiful ballads ("The Train"), spirited dance tracks ("Yeke Yo," "Afikile Afrika") and undulating syncopation ("Zula Zula" - on which I swear the women back-up singers are repeating "West Virginia").

Neco Novella was born and raised in Mozambique, but after his career took off, he studied in Portugal and Holland, where he discovered jazz. While those influences don't appear literally, his music has a subtle worldliness (not to be confused with "world music") that is expansive and inclusive.

"Vermetha" begins as a buoyant African piece and gradually morphs into a Samba thanks to Brazilian singer Lilian Vieira. After an opening of rich harmonies, "Phumela" is like a folk song that recalls Paul Simon's "Graceland." Ironically, African music has always been the music of joy and hope, and, given this pivotal point in our own nation, the Novellas music might be exactly what we need.

"Rockin' the Blues:

Live in Germany 1964"

Howlin' Wolf

www.howlinwolf.com

Acrobat

It's pretty much an accepted fact: Howlin' Wolf was the best blues singer. Period. From his much-imitated growl to his imposing stage persona, he remains one of the blues' strongest figures.

Wolf's backing band alone is a "Who's Who" of bluesmen: Willie Dixon on bass, the architect of blues guitar Hubert Sumlin, seminal pianist Sunnyland Slim and drummer Clifton James.

The nine tracks slowly build from the mid-tempo opener "Shake it For Me" through "Dust My Broom" and "Rockin' the Blues" to a swinging "Howlin' For My Darlin'" and one of my all-time favorite Wolf numbers "Forty-Four."

In addition to Wolf's always large presence, the band exhibits a level of talent, restraint and subtlety that has unfortunately long disappeared from most blues bands.

-- By Michael Lipton