Canadian producer Andrew McPherson returns to the global music arena with the follow-up to 2003's widely acclaimed More Africa in Us. Eccodek's Voices have eyes continues to explore the crossroads where global groove, dub and electronica meet. Featuring five singers from countries as diverse as Mali, Turkey, Fiji, Rwanda and India, as well as a six-piece band, this release looks to be as genre-defying as the last.
No stranger to collaboration Andrew has worked with a host of Canadian and international talent. Canada's Natalie MacMaster, Jane Siberry, Philosopher Kings, Ireland's Andy White, Seattle's Pigeonhead and Iceland's Gusgus have all benefited from his distinctive textural approach to production. With tracks from More Africa in us still being requested by the likes of UK's Bar de Lune and Australia's One World Music, it seems global audiences are increasingly curious about what is cooking in Eccodek's kitchen.
Voices have eyes features the mesmerising talent of Malian kora master Mansa Sissoko, the seductive beauty of Indo-Canadian vocalist and Triloka recording artist Kiran Ahluwalia, the raw power of Fijian vocalist Aquila Sumi and the tribal meltdown of Fiji's Savusavu Choir among others. Rest assured the familiar Eccodek sound of bone-rattling bass, spaced out production, hypnotising grooves and soaring exotic melodies are all present here. With Voices have eyes, Eccodek continues to expand on the global groove and dub palate shaped by such innovators as African Headcharge, Bill Laswell, Mad Professor and Kruder & Dorfmeister.
More Africa in us weaves together a hypnotic blend of ancient African voices, ethnic and urban grooves, Middle Eastern melodies and electronic textures in a progressive dub mix. Like the cross-cultural experiments of Bill Laswell, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation and African Head Charge, More Africa in us is a seductive postcard from a world apart. With voices from Mali and Rwanda, the mournful wail of the Mongolian erhu, African, Mideastern and modern grooves and McPherson's distinctive multi-instrumental and mixing style, this is a hybrid of great depth, beauty and seduction. —Courtesy Calabash Music
