KARGO

DREAMS OF MARRAKESH
(World)

This is a wonderful album with great production and lots of atmosphere -- and by atmosphere, I don't mean the space kind; I mean travelogue-style background sounds that add to the feeling of a musical voyage through the land of Morocco.

Children playing, people talking and praying, the calls of buyers and sellers -- all add to the romantic and mysterious atmosphere enhanced by the eclectic music styles of James Diplock and Mat McLean, a.ka. Kargo.

After a slow and gentle opening as we "Enter Djemma" and experience "Hellah" - everyday life for the people - things slow down a touch for us to relax in the shade during a hot summer afternoon with "Mellagita," a hypnotically rhythmic tune created with drums, horns and bass which ends a little too abruptly. Then we enjoy the leisurely, romantic flute and string sounds of "Sunset at the Kaspah."

A new virtual day brings a new selection of environmental sounds, and a variety of pulsating Moroccan beats and music - "Dejemma-el-Fna," "Marrakesh Dubbed," the wildly entertaining "Drumbata" which leaves one breathless just listening to it. "Cobrabora" combines tribal drums with vocal chants, synth riffs and pads to create a rhythmic electronic blend of past and present, before things slow down again for the final "Departure."

I thoroughly enjoyed this musical voyage with its wide range of melodious and rhythmic tunes, native instruments, and background sounds. Kargo have put together a captivating album that is a delight to listen to.

"This album is the result of an inspirational journey through Morocco, from the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh, recording sounds and atmospheres to Minidisc as we went, before bringing them home and then combining them with our own production techniques and musical styles." &emdash;Kargo

My favourite: "Marrakesh Dubbed"

CD Length: 50:08 minutes

First Appeared in Wind & Wire Magazine - February 2004

SPIRIT OF HAVANA
(World)

Following up to their Dreams of Marrakesh is another beautifully crafted musical vision, this time of life in the capital of Cuba.

However, although masterfully done, it seems to me that there's just too much of a European influence on the music to achieve what James Diplock and Mat McLean set out to do.

Nevertheless, this certainly doesn't prevent the listener from experiencing a delightful musical expression of their creative energies.

We can still look forward to seeing what these fellows can conjure up next.

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