Post by thesoundmonitor on Jun 26, 2004 2:03:47 GMT -5
JOE CANG
Firefly
(Manjo Music)
Beginning his musical journey at a young age in South Africa, multi-instrumentalist Joe Cang made an international name as bassist for eighties pop act Scritti Politti, as well as performing alongside Dudu Pukwana, Don Weller and Reebop Kwaku Baah and writing collaborations with Hall & Oates. This rich, colourful diversity has allowed Cang to develop as an introspective songwriter and masterful musician, as he now releases his second solo effort entitled Firefly.
Deep and soulful the album is a peaceful affair reflecting the quieter moments of Ben Harper, Eagle-Eye Cherry and Peter Gabriel, though (much like the latter) actively refrains from becoming commercially palpable.
Blues infused grooves infect the disc, with a number of different rhythmic strategies employed to create the colour. The opening title cut is a pleasant and airy number backed by synthetic drums and subtle slide, while its follow up, ‘Broken’, is decidedly downcast. It’s this latter tune where Cang shines with his voice heaving under the pain and torment not unlike live Harper.
‘Why’ is a tune that engages in a bit of dark dub, while ‘Long Distance Love’ employs the lone acoustic six-string and voice to full emotive effect.
At times a decidedly low-key album, Firefly is a passionate collection of tunes stripped of unnecessary glitz and polish, maintaining the raw emotion that cuts as well as consoles.
By Warren Wheeler
www.manjomusic.com
Firefly
(Manjo Music)
Beginning his musical journey at a young age in South Africa, multi-instrumentalist Joe Cang made an international name as bassist for eighties pop act Scritti Politti, as well as performing alongside Dudu Pukwana, Don Weller and Reebop Kwaku Baah and writing collaborations with Hall & Oates. This rich, colourful diversity has allowed Cang to develop as an introspective songwriter and masterful musician, as he now releases his second solo effort entitled Firefly.
Deep and soulful the album is a peaceful affair reflecting the quieter moments of Ben Harper, Eagle-Eye Cherry and Peter Gabriel, though (much like the latter) actively refrains from becoming commercially palpable.
Blues infused grooves infect the disc, with a number of different rhythmic strategies employed to create the colour. The opening title cut is a pleasant and airy number backed by synthetic drums and subtle slide, while its follow up, ‘Broken’, is decidedly downcast. It’s this latter tune where Cang shines with his voice heaving under the pain and torment not unlike live Harper.
‘Why’ is a tune that engages in a bit of dark dub, while ‘Long Distance Love’ employs the lone acoustic six-string and voice to full emotive effect.
At times a decidedly low-key album, Firefly is a passionate collection of tunes stripped of unnecessary glitz and polish, maintaining the raw emotion that cuts as well as consoles.
By Warren Wheeler
www.manjomusic.com