Timbuktu
Oberoendeframkallande

THE REVIEW

Can the most tropical of rock genres (the reggae) manage to blend with a Nordic language (Swedish) in such a way as not to result in a lumpy and disjointed composite?

The suggested answer would be no, given the abyssal distance between the Rasta and Viking cultures, but often things turn out differently than we would have expected. TimBuktu have managed to achieve this cultural crossover before it becomes musical, defying Mendelian laws and achieving musically excellent results (as well as a decent success in the Scandinavian land).

The sounds are warm and full: a myriad of instruments; percussions, moogs, hammonds, accordions, guitars, choirs. Never mixed trivially but always measured and used "ad hoc."

The rhythms are lively and spirited: a reggae that exudes funk and hip-hop, winking now at Jamiroquai now at Jimmy Cliff, not neglecting some "headings" into typically Latin territories such as samba, salsa, and flamenco.

The singing is perfectly integrated: the typical melody of the Swedish language combined with the energy of Jason Diakité (not very Swedish as you can tell from the name) joins the colorful and varied musical canvas adding distinctive tones.

I don't feel like considering their latest work "Oberoendeframkallande" (the latest in the series of 5 albums produced from 2000 to today) a cornerstone of music, nor to extol its praises by squandering unnecessary adjectives. Instead, I feel like appreciating the entirety of the work, of blissfully accepting the smiles and warmth it spreads, of "moving the foot and the head" to the groove of some songs within it ("lika barn avika bast del 2" above all but also "karmakontot" (first extracted single) and "Fantasi").

There are no "high" pieces, nor clever inventions, but the Ariadne's thread that unfolds along the 17 tracks is one that can be unrolled and rolled up many times without getting bored.

Overall, it is a pleasant, light-hearted album. To be listened to when it snows in Kingston or when you look at the sea blissfully lying in the shade of a palm in the warm winter of Gothenburg.