TOMMY T
Presents the Prester John Sessions
Reggae and world music fanatics take note—Thoma
s T. Gobena’s new album with the Abyssinian Roots Collective could be one of the best world music albums of the last decade. Gobena is the bass player for current ethnic music dominators Gogol Bordello, and rather than attempt to out-maneuver his lively compadres, he has collected a potent band that delivers stunning, diverse and captivating tracks that effectively defy categorization. Dollops of afrobeat slither up against deep dub and jazzy asides, signs that these players left flimsy chops behind long ago and now exist to play in the realm of the truly masterful and soulful. It’s just that good. With this album, Gobena has become a player/composer to watch. And that is just what you should start doing. (Easy Star, www.tommytmusic.com) Jeff Monk