ENZO AVITABILE & BOTTARI
SAVE THE WORLD/SALVAMM'O MUNNO (Wrasse Records WRASS124)

There's a peculiarly Italian way of singing that sounds like an endless litany of complaints. You probably know it from Paolo Conte, and, if that's your thing, there's plenty of gruffness and griping here. Enzo has a commanding presence, however, and this is a very engaging album: its success due equally to the stellar roster of guest artists who appear and bring their varied talents to the project. Khaled and Amina sing, Manu Dibango and Hugh Masakela toot their horns. Best of all is the pervasive presence of Simon Shaheen on oud and violin on four tracks, Baba Sissoko on kamelengoni on a few tracks, Adel Shaaher on tar on three tracks, and the occasional sound of the ney, zurla and sax. It makes for a lot of variety that sustains your interest. The driving rhythm is also intriguing. This album of Neapolitan music has a raft of guys beating on barrels and tubs (instead of drums), and clashing scythes together. I bet it gets the spiders out of the tubs before the new wine goes in. This tradition started in the 14th century to drive out evil spirits form the farm and also augur a good harvest. It's a weird mechanical clacking sound and sets up a metronomic beat that is quite hypnotic. This is unlike anything you've ever heard, I'm sure, but you will get hooked by the second listen. -- Doctor Rhythm