Bitter Funeral Beer cover

Bitter Funeral Beer

Released

Swedish percussionist Bengt Berger’s masterful Bitter Funeral Beer is a buried diamond, and all you need to unearth it is press PLAY. Unlike many fusion projects, this evocation of Ghanaian folk music betrays not a single fiber of pretension. Among his fellow sojourners is Don Cherry, whose pocket trumpet tells story after story against a backdrop of strings, reeds, and electric guitar. Vocalist Anita Livstrand adds a primal touch. The Fela Kuti-like drive of “Tongsi” and the funeral dance of “Darafo” yield some of the most ecstatic moments of the session, each a step across the border of expectation.

Tyran Grillo

Recommended by

Suggestions
there is still time cover

there is still time

Frances-Marie Uitti, Paul Griffiths
Afric Pepperbird cover

Afric Pepperbird

Jan Garbarek Quartet
Strumming Music cover

Strumming Music

Charlemagne Palestine
Evening Falls cover

Evening Falls

Jacob Young
Angles of Repose cover

Angles of Repose

Barre Phillips, Mat Maneri, Joe Maneri
You’ve Been Watching Me cover

You’ve Been Watching Me

Tim Berne's Snakeoil
The Return of Fenn O’Berg cover

The Return of Fenn O’Berg

Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke, Peter Rehberg
Winter's End cover

Winter's End

Stephan Micus