Mama Kin’s new CD, Beat and Holler, has a great, organic sound that makes you feel as if she is right in the room with you. It’s Latin and funk stylings are no surprise from a girl that was weaned on Aretha Franklin and Joan Armatrading both of whom, like Mama Kin, are fearless singers, not afraid to empty their heart and soul into a note.
On the title track Beat and Holler, Mama Kin sings backed by only short, sharp hand percussion. In this age of Auto-Tune®, Mama Kin’s naked human voice is a wonderfully radical thing. You Tore My Heart Out tells a familiar story, but Mama Kin’s wry jazz delivery seems not to take the heartbreak to heart. To My Table, with its infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms and a bass vamp that smoulders like the Buena Vista Social Club in session, is my pick for the song of the year, so far. But the year is still young. Don’t miss the video clip of To My Table, filmed entirely on Mama Kin’s kitchen table. And, by the way, that irresistible percussion is Michael Caruana tapping a whiskey bottle with the bottle opener. Thank you, Michael, for not being a drum machine.
On It’s for Me Mama Kin’s young daughter Banjo Caruana-Butler, sings backing vocals, and others play instruments including, but not limited to, the glass baking dish, the saucepan lid, and the outdoor chair. The chorus has echoes of Maltese folk music. It is, as jazz great Duke Ellington used to describe his favourite music, “beyond category”.
Yes folks, I am highly recommending this album on which there is an eight year old girl singing, and a grown woman playing a shovel. Listen with your mind open, and you’ll find twelve good reasons why you should treat this Mama (Kin) with respect!
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Beat and Holler Review Soulshine
Mama Kin’s new CD, Beat and Holler, has a great, organic sound that makes you feel as if she is right in the room with you. It’s Latin and funk stylings are no surprise from a girl that was weaned on Aretha Franklin and Joan Armatrading both of whom, like Mama Kin, are fearless singers, not afraid to empty their heart and soul into a note.
On the title track Beat and Holler, Mama Kin sings backed by only short, sharp hand percussion. In this age of Auto-Tune®, Mama Kin’s naked human voice is a wonderfully radical thing. You Tore My Heart Out tells a familiar story, but Mama Kin’s wry jazz delivery seems not to take the heartbreak to heart. To My Table, with its infectious Afro-Cuban rhythms and a bass vamp that smoulders like the Buena Vista Social Club in session, is my pick for the song of the year, so far. But the year is still young. Don’t miss the video clip of To My Table, filmed entirely on Mama Kin’s kitchen table. And, by the way, that irresistible percussion is Michael Caruana tapping a whiskey bottle with the bottle opener. Thank you, Michael, for not being a drum machine.
On It’s for Me Mama Kin’s young daughter Banjo Caruana-Butler, sings backing vocals, and others play instruments including, but not limited to, the glass baking dish, the saucepan lid, and the outdoor chair. The chorus has echoes of Maltese folk music. It is, as jazz great Duke Ellington used to describe his favourite music, “beyond category”.
Yes folks, I am highly recommending this album on which there is an eight year old girl singing, and a grown woman playing a shovel. Listen with your mind open, and you’ll find twelve good reasons why you should treat this Mama (Kin) with respect!
Read The Full Review