Ngatibatanei / Let Us Unite!

Exotic and earthy ideas bounce around on this album by alto saxist Idit Shner and her team of Garrett Baxter/b, Ken Mastrogiovanni/dr, Torrey Newhart/p and John Mambira/perc, with guest Taffie Matiure/mbira. The overall mood is driving like a galloping stampede, with Shner's alto celebratory on "Henceforth" and dark and bluesy for "Conestoga" Drums and bass dig in for a soulful groove on "Murray" with Shner going into soft subtones on "The Change" before bursting forward like a firecracker. The post bop "Ngatibatanei" has the team chanting in gospel fashion while the team claps out a Sunday feeling on "Lunar Curve". Red clay under the nails for this one that hits the heart of Africa.