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
Northbound cover

Northbound

Iro Haarla
Idiot Fish cover

Idiot Fish

Wally Schnalle
Of Colors cover

Of Colors

Curtis J Stewart
Still Live cover

Still Live

Jack DeJohnette, Gary Peacock, Keith Jarrett
Tribute To Lester cover

Tribute To Lester

Art Ensemble of Chicago
Rec01 cover

Rec01

Collin Olan
Confluence cover

Confluence

JGrzinich, Seth Nehil
Divine Love cover

Divine Love

Wadada Leo Smith
Nan Madol cover

Nan Madol

Edward Vesala
Towards the Wind cover

Towards the Wind

Stephan Micus
Molt And Anecdote cover

Molt And Anecdote

Michael Northam