Bitter Funeral Beer cover

Bitter Funeral Beer

Released

Swedish percussionist Bengt Berger’s masterful Bitter Funeral Beer is a buried diamond, and all you need to unearth it is press PLAY. Unlike many fusion projects, this evocation of Ghanaian folk music betrays not a single fiber of pretension. Among his fellow sojourners is Don Cherry, whose pocket trumpet tells story after story against a backdrop of strings, reeds, and electric guitar. Vocalist Anita Livstrand adds a primal touch. The Fela Kuti-like drive of “Tongsi” and the funeral dance of “Darafo” yield some of the most ecstatic moments of the session, each a step across the border of expectation.

Tyran Grillo

Recommended by

Suggestions
Winter's End cover

Winter's End

Stephan Micus
Trios cover

Trios

Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow
Prezens cover

Prezens

Tom Rainey, David Torn, Craig Taborn, Tim Berne
Eon cover

Eon

Richie Beirach, Frank Tusa, Jeff Williams
Fragments cover

Fragments

Paul Bley
Pond cover

Pond

John Hudak
ONJQ Live in Lisbon cover

ONJQ Live in Lisbon

Mats Gustafsson, Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Quintet
Post Scriptum cover

Post Scriptum

Wolfert Brederode Quartet
The Ballad of the Fallen cover

The Ballad of the Fallen

Carla Bley, Charlie Haden