The newest compilation from Brooklyn’s Electric Cowbell Records is a head-spinning expedition through a world of exotic and funky music. Collecting material originally released on 7″ singles over the past year, the selection of tunes encompasses mellow horn-driven soul workouts, west African blues songs, echo-laden dancefloor stompers, downtempo reggae spaceouts, and much more. The variety is staggering; the common bond is an adherence to that indefinable quality of groove, the element that moves a crowd and captivates the listener.
Particular standouts include the two songs by Malian virtuoso Cheick Hamala Diabaté, the No BS! Brass Band’s gleeful romp through “Take On Me”, the languid and hypnotic “Luz Negra” by Os Magrelos, and the headnodding goodness of Spangllish Fly and The Audible Doctor’s “Audible Soul”. But there’s not a bad track in the bunch, and unlike many compilations, the contrast from track to track makes each individual number shine more brightly. Funkiness is the sole shared sensibility, the common denominator of all these artists, and Electric Cowbell is worthy of applause for bringing them together for this release.
For Whom The Cowbell Tolls is released digitally on April 10th, and a CD pressing will be available through Electric Cowbell’s website.