10 February 2009
Songlines Magazine
Jon Mitchell


A feat of drums and percussion.

Last reviewed here contributing bass, flutes and filimbi (Tanzanian overtone flute) to the Carver Trio's charming Broken Sleep album, the multi-instrumentalist Nathan Thomson is back. This is his first record as a leader, and sees the incorporation of a plethora of instruments from berimbau (Brazilian single string instrument), ilimba (Tanzanian thumb piano), fujara (Slovakian flute), to the ngoma drums of the Bantu people and others. It's a colourful and vibrant debut.

The result of a working closely with percussionist and producer Simon Allen, this richly layered and earthy record was largely inspired by Thomson's five years spent in Africa. With the addition of Brazilian melodies (‘Song For Otso'), suggestions of Finnish landscapes (‘Waiting For Rain') and Arab-inspired string arrangements (‘Cheza'), the thoughtful set is at times a little unfocused and yet nearly always strongly evocative. Wavering between sparse, free-wheeling grooves such as ‘Hello Porcupine' and spacious ambient collages, like the beautiful ‘Shikamoo Zawose' the occasional lapse on direction detracts little from this largely easy to digest recording.

Thomson is clearly a thoughtful and patient enough musician to be able to successfully unite an impressive array of talent into a warm album full of character.