London Tourdates Please Release Me The Bongolian Outer Bongolia

Published on 30th November 2007 (UK)

Media title : London Tourdates

I love puns. If I had my way, it wouldbe mandatory to compose all formsof literature entirely out of groan-begetting wordplay. It’d be an artistic challenge: like writing a haiku. Keeping this piece pun free will bean effort. So -imagine my delight upon read-ing the title of this beauty. The Bongolian is the alter ego of NaseerBouzida, multi-instrumentalist with UK funk outfit Big Boss Man. Youwouldn’t know to hear it, but Bouzida plays every instrument onthis album (bar one or two guestslots), which, given the range and quality of the performances, is quitea feat. This is an appealing, funky,soulful album, featuring exotic per-cussion, some truly audacious Hammond organ, and other assortedgoodies. The sleeve proudly pro-claims that no samples were used tomake it: this adaptable musicianshipis clearly -and justifiably -a badgeof pride.There’s not much variationin style, which draws on common funk/blues motifs throughout; but what it lacks in deviation it makes upfor in bombast.