I think we have the messiah of African House music back! Mix the Vibe has done it again with the ordained priest of deepness from the Motherland, Osunlade as the label Goes Yoruba with over sixty segued minutes of House music. What is Yoruba? I’m glad you
asked...like the CD it can be several positive things: an ethnic group, a religion, or a language. Adjectives such as “inspirational”,
spiritual”, “serene,” “sublime”, and “deep “ come to mind as I am describing Yourba in this context.
Mix The Vibe is Like an Underground House Party
This is a very bumpin’ dance/club music CD with various artists dropping you deep into the mix at a non-corporate, underground night spot off the beaten path. Crisp beats and flowing orchestration takes you on a wondrous journey that compels you to move your feet to the beat (other body parts acceptable) right from the first sound encountered by your tympanic cavities on the intro track, Blaze & Palmer Brown’s “Shine”. The cross-section of artists, DJs and producers range from the likes of King Street’s Tiger Stripes – their familiar movin’ jam, “Khula”, is included - to some of Osunlade’s homies Gabriel Poso (“Gipsy Dejavu”), Afefe Iku and Oveous Maximus to portray an uplifting listening experience whether you are doing aerobics, driving or dancing.Househeads Love Female Vocalists
The best female vocal herein comes from Heather Johnson who, along with Terrance Downs, assuringly reaffirms that “I Hear You” in the Larry Heard Nocturnal remixed version. The familiar four note breakdown on “Bodydrummin’” is classically dramatic and great as the bridge inside of “A Beautiful Sunrise” is melodic. This music will assuage the pent-up stress of the solo female on the dance floor.Sampling the Past To Build the Future
“Back To Chicago” is a groovy way to prepare for landing of this spacecraft, even with two more tracks to go. You can hear shades of Ralph McDonald’s 1976 hit “Calypso Breakdown” on “That Afro Rhythm” from Mateo & Matos. This precedes finding yourself on the vast Serengeti Plain to the strains of “We Alive (South Africa)” courtesy of the DJ Roland Clark and Urban Soul presentation, which succinctly takes the album home with its constant and mesmerizing chant. You are undoubtedly sweating by now – and loving it!The album flows upon currents of nature’s Nile river rhythms emptying into a delta of nourishing and healing movement; the sediment of which
carries you away upon the wings of your very party soul. It is definitely a step up from Osunlade’s previous album, the jazzier Aquarian
Moon. In a word, the disc is “niice”! Four-and-a-half “Ye Yo Ma” stars.
Released May 2009 on King Street
