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
G2, 44+/x2 cover

G2, 44+/x2

Phill Niblock
Santuerio cover

Santuerio

Marilyn Crispell
Winter's End cover

Winter's End

Stephan Micus
The Ballad of the Fallen cover

The Ballad of the Fallen

Carla Bley, Charlie Haden
Balladyna cover

Balladyna

Tomasz Stańko, Edward Vesala, Dave Holland
Strumming Music cover

Strumming Music

Charlemagne Palestine
Output cover

Output

Wolfgang Dauner
In the Townships cover

In the Townships

Dudu Pukwana & Spear