I'm a firm believer that solo projects need to show something divergent from a musicians main band. Why bother with a solo project in the first place if everything is going to sound like just another band record?That brings us to The Prester John Sessions, the debut solo album from Gogol Bordello bassist Tommy T. Gogol Bordello is known for bringing gypsy and other Eastern European influences into their punk rock. In his album, Tommy T also uses traditional World Music styles, but his are of very different genres.
Reggae and ska form the foundation of much of The Prester John Sessions. Going hand-in-hand with those island styles is the dub on "Oromo Dub", a track reminiscent of Sandinista!-era Clash.
On top of that we get songs like "The Response" and "Tribute To a King" which draw upon south Asian influences. Completing his around-the-world musical journey, T pulls in a healthy dose of inspiration and sounds of his native Ethiopia.
There are lots of western elements on the album as well. "East-West Express" boasts prominent jazz saxophones, while "September Blues" has the aura of a smoke-filled airport hotel lounge.
Despite the often hypnotic groove there is a feeling that there's something missing on the album. Vocals are absent from much of the record. When they are present on a song, they are often washed out or low in the mix, making them come across as little more than an afterthought.
Best tracks: "Oromo Dub", "The Call"
Track listing for The Prester John Sessions:
- Brothers
- The Call
- The Response
- The Eighth Wonder
- Oromo Dub
- East-West Express
- Tribute To a King
- Beyond Fasiladas
- September Blues
- Eden
- Lifers
6.0/10
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