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Review Summary: On the forty-ninth installment in the FabricLive serial, the kuduro styles are fun, but some refinement would have improved the album exponentially. In the dawn of the last decade, no vogue was as unexpected as that found within the beginnings of Brazilian baile funk. This electronic sub-genre is not only transethnic, but is composed of oftentimes choppy or nonexistent melodies, while still being successful. This genre could lead one to question how many musical boundaries can be broken while still being accessible and fun. Well, Buraka Som Sistema is trying to find out. The band's compilation album FabricLive.49 shows potential to be a catchy and creative outfit, but they are hindered by a few minor flaws.
By taking Angolan electronic Afro-soca kuduro to an enjoyable extreme, Buraka Som Sistema, and a few other bands featured on this album, have crafted a transethnic approach to overtly energetic music. The first five tracks rush by in just over nine minutes, and each of these tracks is more frenzied than the one before it. This works both to the bands' advantage and disadvantage. If these attempts at being dynamic were more coherent and placed better, the amount of faults on this record would decrease by a large amount. Tracks like the opening, “Gone Too Far” go balls to the wall in terms of energy. If there was some sort of progression in the way this approach was executed, the songs would have a larger impact on the listener. They would seem less forgettable, and the transethnic elements to the music would seem more suitable. The midsection of this album shows that the band is not incapable of making memorable yet eclectic tracks; they are just inconsistent when they craft their songs.
“Kurum” would make a great standout track had it been placed more appropriately. When this track rolls around within the first ten minutes, the listener is easily overwhelmed with the non-stop energy. But the bleeps of “Run For Cover”, the obligatory hip-hop inclusion “Rock Yo Hips”, and the reggae-tinged “Mermaid Dub” show that kuduro does not have to be awkward. If there was a sense of refinement on this forty-ninth release of the FabricLive series, it would be a superb kuduro compilation album. But this absence leaves the listener a catchy, energetic album that has potential to be excellent, but never follows-through on it.
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For whatever reason, the artwork isn't showing up.
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Oh, and before you tell me this should be in the VA section, this album is accredited to Buraka Som Sistema. Pitchfork, amazon, allmusic, wikipedia, and even the cover treat it as such.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Buraka don't really have a great deal to do with the whole Baile Funk scene tbh. Their work in the Progressive Kuduro scene is pretty far removed from anything in the Baile scene. You use the word Transethnic too much as well I think. If you're gonna keep the Brazilian Baile Funk line in then you shouldn't have to keep bringing up the fact that it's 'transethnic', having the word Brazilian in the first sentence is pretty much a dead give away that the sounds on this album are locale specific. Nice review though, short and to the point
I'll give ya $10 internet dollars if you review the entire Fabriclive discog
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The baile thing was more of a "this is stylish, and so is kuduro, even if it doesn't sound like it would be."
Andd hell to the fucking no.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I still don't see the comparison though. Kuduro is also based out of Africa too, it's an entirely different 'transethnic' sound
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Wtf are you guys talking about
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Don't worry dude lol
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This is clearly outside my musical knowledge range.
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No.
This is a recording of a DJ set. It's meant for nonstop dancing, not for you to sit down and listen to. Perhaps you know that, but you didn't make it clear at all in the review. Also, the Brazilian comparison is pretty much entirely off except for that there is some, though very slight, Brazilian influence on kuduro.
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how are these guys considered any good (hell, how do they even make it OUT of Portugal)? and what in the name of Kurt Cobain is "progressive kuduro"?
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Because they are amazing.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
how are these guys considered any good (hell, how do they even make it OUT of Portugal)? and what in the name of Kurt Cobain is "progressive kuduro"?
Streetlight just gave you the first answer, second is a style of music from a specific genre, kinda obvious
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i mean i know what kuduro is, but how do you make "PROGRESSIVE kuduro"?
African rhythms meet ELP?
over here (Portugal, duh) they are NOT considered amazing. well, yes, to some, but to many they are a dumb "fad" band only club jocks listen to. i include myself in the latter category.
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Rule of thumb is that if you collaborate with M.I.A. you are worldly/hip/culturally enlightened and/or progressive because collaborating with M.I.A. just does that to you.
I suspect you do not meet the standards of worldly/hip/culturally enlightened and/or progressive.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i mean i know what kuduro is, but how do you make "PROGRESSIVE kuduro"?
How does metal become progressive metal? You add progressive elements to it, the same applies to any genre.
over here (Portugal, duh) they are NOT considered amazing.
Cool, except Kuduro originated in Africa. Plus i'm from NZ, what's your point?
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my point is, do you guys consider..........(insert local Australian Idol winner).....amazing?
well, it's the same for us in Portugal. and these guys have Angolan DESCENT, but they come from Portugal, so what's YOUR point?
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also, when, where and how does kuduro open the space for those "progressive elements"? it's just a dumb electronic beat and some keyboards...
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
My point was how is dropping the fact that they are considered a pretty dumb band in your home town/country relevant to the discussion? And blatantly making the point of NOT being amazing
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
also, when, where and how does kuduro open the space for those "progressive elements"? it's just a dumb electronic beat and some keyboards...
I don't mean to sound condescending in any way, shape or form but it sounds like you don't know much about the genre
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maybe i don't, but what plays all the time at African parties and concerts and whatnot and is called "kuduro" is a really bad programmed beat, keyboards that would make Europe blush and singers who all sound the same.
and when you slow it down it becomes kizomba. and apparently there is Brazilian kizomba as well
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