After the Tempest

It was in 1992 that British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart conceived their improbable fusion of Celtic and Baka Pygmy music. The concept followed a six-week visit to the people of the Baka Forest, deep in the heart of the Cameroonian rainforest; and every year since then the pair have spent several months working with the Baka. The latest recording from the Baka Beyond ensemble takes its name from two tracks that were part of the group's live accompaniment to a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. This particular release has less involvement from the Baka themselves; however there are a couple of tracks that include the traditional singing and water drumming for which they are known.

Mostly a lively affair, plenty of percussive interplay backs the impressive lead instrumentation of Paddy Le Mercier's violin and Cradick's mildly trippy neo-psychedelic guitar work. The dual female vocals make them frequently sound similar to Zap Mama; Baka Beyond prove themselves to be consistently entertaining with a similar energy. However they are not just a dynamic African fusion band. Their ability to switch into gentle Celtic melodies and lively folk reels makes them truly unique.