The afro Brazilian proyect

A nice album from ARC's resident über-cross-culturalist Ravi, The Afro-Brazilian Project is a mix of African and Brazilian influences, with the Brazilian side dominating the affair thoroughly and the African side taken up primarily by the use of the kora, Ravi's main instrument. The album starts out with "21-String Samba," a basic samba that incorporates the kora into the structure. Following quickly is a kora adaptation of the old "Coracao Brasileiro (Brazilian Heart)" and a romping number about a nearby beach resort based on some electric bass bounce -- a very modern Brazilian sound. "Paranagua" uses a pair of acoustic koras and an electric over the top of some fine percussion to evoke a train coming into station, and "Berimbao" gives Ravi an excuse to work out on the berimbau for a stretch. "Bird of Paradise" is a tropical-esque piece making good use of Guta Menezes, a young harmonica virtuoso who brings out a Stevie Wonder sound in the process of her accompaniment.