Album Review: BAI KAMARA JR & THE VOODOO SNIFFERS – Salone

Moosicus/M.I.G. Music [Release date 24.01.20]

It is said that an artist brings their own experiences to any work that they create and if that’s the case Bai Kamara’s biography would suggest a varied and interesting album. Son of the former Sierra Leonean ambassador in Brussels, Kamara grew up in the United Kingdom and his latest album with newly formed band, The Voodoo Sniffers, finds him exploring his African identity through music. ‘Salone’ (which means Sierra Leone in the Krio language) kicks off with a John Lee Hooker-style blues; ‘Can’t Wait Here Too Long’ finds a man impatient to move on “at this crossroads in my life”, and this begins a theme across the whole record of questioning and powerlessness to the forces around him.

One such force is the titular ‘Lady Boss’, a humorous story song where Kamara recounts his daily routine under the thumb of a domineering woman. Propelled by acoustic guitar and rhythmic percussion, the number has tongue placed firmly in cheek as Kamara ad-libs at the songs close; “She’s into the Me-Too movement and me too”. ‘Black Widow Spider’ sounds like it was recorded in a vast, echoing space as Bai Kamara delivers a Mannish Boy-esque vocal but surprisingly a touch of flamenco style accompaniment is thrown in. Such offbeat choices typify this album; presenting as a blues throwback record, there are curveball choices peppered throughout like the surprisingly ominous chords and slightly out of sync vocal stacking deployed on ‘Riverboat Blues’.

The album’s best moments are where twenty first century domesticity get the blues treatment to hilarious effect, like ‘Morning School Run Blues’, where Kamara laments; “No time for my coffee, we late again, we’ll be caught up in the morning traffic”. ‘Salone’s’ great strength is how it draws on blues history but doesn’t feel beholden to any particular approach or homage; it’s a strong collection of songs with subtle yet excellently judged arrangements and production. ***

Review by Phillip Beamon

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)