Toubab Krewe
Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA
October 4, 2006
 As if calling forth the audience to participate in a Wednesday night ceremony, Toubab Krewe kicked off its show by delivering a booming hit of percussion, sending out circling shockwaves that trembled and reverberated for a solid ten minutes.
Toubab Krewe’s concept of West Africa meets surf rock could potentially qualify for a case of multiple personality disorder; however, the North Carolina group proved that a trip to the psychiatrist would reveal a clean bill of mental health. Studying under masters in places like Mali and the Ivory Coast for extended periods before applying that knowledge in the States has clearly paid off.
Justin Perkins commanded the traditional kora, plucking away at its 21
strings, creating a sound akin to a DJ scratching tribal tracks. Teal
Brown had his drumkit tuned to a level much lower than the norm,
generating a deep, earthy sound that lined up with his near
lackadaisical approach. Luke Quaranta’s hands were a constant blur, his
expression bordering that of ecstasy and pain, and Drew Heller’s guitar
ebbed and flowed in traditional, looping Manding style. As for bassist
David Pransky, his technique is so sensual it almost makes you blush.
The quintet effortlessly transitioned from one song to the next, its
layered intricacies sharp and tight, bearing witness to an easy,
natural connection between each member. Island sounds segued into
Arabian beats while flirting with a Brazilian samba on the side before
nearing classic-rock territory.
During the second set, Toubab Krewe flexed its jam muscles, creating
less intensive African rhythms and more guitar-focused grooves with
Perkins joining Heller on an electric six-string. The evening stretched
a little long; then again, these guys have officially been a band for
less than two years. The future is bright. Lydia Cox
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