World music in the spotlight

If there’s one thing artists like Dave Matthews and our own Nyko Maca+Playground have always shown, it’s their penchant for cross-pollinating various strands of music from all over the world, and creating a unique sound that borrows liberally, yet respectfully. Dave comes through with his new album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, where it’s a simmering pot of a New Orleans base, seasoned with bits of music from a bunch of places. Nyko Maca+Playground is one of my prime candidates for local band who is most likely to impress on a global stage, and it’s great to see it finally has this independently produced CD.

Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King — Dave Matthews Band (RCA). I’m not one of those who automatically think anything Dave Matthews comes up with is a gift from some musical God — and I know there are those out there who are such fervent followers. I’ve admired his musical vision and liked particular songs but had previously felt his CDs lacked the punch and consistency of what he produces when on stage. But I’m happy to report that Big Whiskey is one of the more solid efforts, with nary a dud track on the CD. At times reminiscent of Sting in a more ebullient mood, and at times showing just why he’s the precursor of such artists as Jason Mraz and John Mayer, I especially liked Funny the Way It Is, Lying In the Hands of God and Baby Blue. Good to know Dave still has it.

Nyko Maca+Playground (Infectious Music). Back in the ‘90s, there was this French musician who’d travel through South America, and create a unique melange that freely sampled music from the different countries he’d visit, and I absolutely loved Manu Chao’s CDs. The first time I heard Nyko Maca+Playground and its electronica/Brazilian/hip-hop/R&B hybrid I truly felt the same excitement as when I first heard Manu. The musicians of Playground are top-rate, really serious about the quality and ability they bring to performing, and Nyko has the right amount of swagger and attitude to make her one of the more unique singers coming from Asia with music that’s distinctly theirs, and yet manages to be accessible to a Western audience. For me, a must listen!