Twenty-four year-old Kinobe Herbert is from Uganda in the East of Africa, and has studied kora with Malian Toumani Diabaté as well as working with Baaba Maal in Senegal. As a result, on Soul Language he has brought West African instruments together with traditional ones from his native country to build a set of sparse but colourful songs with the help of guitarist Michael Ouma (the tingle of kalimba thumb piano and buzz of the Ugandan harp in particular working to good effect). Kinobe has that elusive knack of producing melodies that wheedle their way into the brain over time, and although the overall feel to this album is somewhat unrefined and rough around the edges (his vocals are good, but unremarkable), his will definitely be a name to watch out for in the future.
www.nomadroots.com
This review first appeared in fRoots magazine.
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