Eccodek: Voices Have Eyes

The blend of down-tempo beats with indigenous music has helped fuel the popularity of upscale, themed cocktail lounges, National Geographic IMAX films, and compilation CDs from places like Ibiza and Paris’ Hotel Costes. It’s music that can be smart while soothing; it appeals to listeners of all ages and, best of all, can provide a mini vacation through the stereo – especially for those of us who aren’t jetting around adopting babies or opening schools.

Canadian producer Andrew McPherson, who put out a disc of global electronica in 2004 with a collective called Eccodek (titled More Africa in Us in response to a quote from Brian Eno about computers lacking an African sensibility), has gone back to Africa – and India, Turkey, and Fiji – to put together another sonic tour of exotic locales and rhythms.

Voices Have Eyes has fourteen tracks, some appearing twice in different remixes. They include the carefree steel drums and strings of juju music on “Words With the Griot” and “Juju in Those Strings.” “Heart’s Desire” recalls Karsh Kale with echoing Indian vocals and atmospheric beats, and “Set Sweet No Worries” floats like an island breeze.

McPherson, who recently won a Canadian Music Award for Best World Music Group, doesn’t just twirl knobs and loop sounds. He plays some instruments himself, and his guests bring along djembes, darbukas, congas, and other noisemakers, keeping the music grounded even as it swoops from continent to continent. His world tour may sound like what’s offered at the fancy lounges, but he’s worked to add real local flavor.

– Lori Barrett
Eccodek (White Swan Records)