Just My Land

Erik Aliana is a singer and percussionist from Cameroon. He lives in the urban environment of Yaoundé and this recording, backed by his group Korongo Jam, reflects the bustle of the city. However it is musically counter¬balanced by the sparsity and beauty of rural Cameroonian styles. This is Aliana’s third album and it is a highly accomplished and musically sophisticated recording. His earlier releases were influenced by Cameroonian makossa and bikutsi styles but Just My Land is a more international-sounding affair. That’s presumably a result of Aliana’s touring in Africa and Europe, and collaborations with musicians from different cultures.

The predominantly acoustic instrumentation has been sensitively produced to retain its respective natural timbres. Aliana has a strikingly beautiful voice. Much of his vocal style is borrowed from the distinctive Cameroonian rainforest Pygmy tradition, with its characteristic yodel sound. However this album takes that rural rainforest musical beauty and transports it into a technical and urban musical setting. It’s a very enjoyable, impressive and appealing fusion.