Missing Chapters

Unique Cameroonian singer-songwritercum-stylist Moken follows up 2016's Chapters of My Life with Missing Chapters. He's in Atlanta, Georgia, having transplanted from Limbe, Cameroon. There's trumpet, flute, violin, bongos, toy keyboard sounds, ngoni, acoustic and electric guitars, over which Moken draws out words to their ultimate stretch, lovingly savouring slow syllables with his underwater trill. ‘Yen Nin’ has a brisk pace and an agile bass solo, while ‘Walking Man’ possesses a darker comedy, Moken regularly relating grim tales with his absurdist vocal delivery. ‘Mi Amor’ has a persistent, intense riff and a sawing violin refrain, while ‘Everybody Want to Rule the World’ could even be deemed an eccentric ride through Clapton territory. Another highlight is ‘Retro Africa’, where Moken raps (in the old way) about Manu Dibango and Fela Kuti. His fluttery, quavering voice sounds too prominent and constant in some songs, so this could alienate listeners who haven't yet caught on to Slim Gaillard, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Tiny Tim or The Smurfs. He can also swoop right down to bass tones, when required. Also, what sounded like live wire tinkering on the previous release has been honed into a set form here, implying that Moken's approach has now been clarified, thereby cutting out a portion of the former adventurous risk factor. These are consumer warnings, but there are just as many factors to admire on this release, in the twisting words, inventive scat, playful rhythms and inspired instrumental accompaniment.