Maestro
Heads Up
If Maestro is intended to
present a microcosmic view of where Taj Mahal has been during his 40 years as a recording artist, it succeeds
unequivocally. On his first album in five years, Mahal revisits favorite
places: the blues in its various guises, foreign ports from the Caribbean to Africa, and points beyond. He’s got help: The New Orleans Social Club (with Ivan
Neville) kick Mahal’s
steamrolling take on
Fats Domino’s “Hello Josephine” up a notch or three. Taj’s daughter, Deva Mahal, and Los Lobos make the roots reggae
of “Never Let You Go” that much sweeter. Jack Johnson splits vocals on an update
of “Further On Down the Road” that’s pure Memphis soul, and Ben Harper, Ziggy Marley and Angelique Kidjo lend their support as
well. Despite the familiarity, though, Maestro never feels retro—it
just feels like a nonstop party.
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