FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS Big Noise 2: Another Mambo Inn Compilation Hannibal · Second CD from London DJs who created the Mambo Inn nightclub. · Artists include Caetano Veloso, Negrocan, ¡Cubanismo! and Jazz Jamaica. "Every drum is an African drum," gleefully sings Baaba Maal - Big Noise 2 sets out to prove his point. The Mambo Inn came into being in 1987 when three London DJs shared their love of world music and big beats. Within two years the club had reached legendary status and the first Big Noise compilation was released. It was a huge underground hit. Like its predecessor, Big Noise 2 illustrates the point that all music is related and, when done right, is also fun to dance to. The cross germination of jazz, Latin and African rhythms is synthesized into a "small world/big dancefloor" philosophy. But where the first CD focused more on Latin rhythms, Big Noise 2 explores the music of Africa. While jazz and Latin rhythms still play a big part in the disc, it's to illustrate their correlation to African music. Fair enough. The problem with Big Noise 2 is that, unlike its predecessor, it feels like just another compilation. While all of the tracks are excellent, you get the feeling that hardly anything here isn't available elsewhere - it just doesn't feel special. Big Noise 2 is a terrific compilation of world rhythms. Unfortunately, it's overshadowed by its big brother and, therefore, is a little disappointing. 3/5 Ian Chiclo

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