Latest releases reviewed

THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
Atom Bomb
Virgin
***

Circumstances have contrived to make this a rather poignant new release. Founding member George Scott died last week aged 75. Although he had stopped touring with the esteemed veterans, his dignified baritone can he heard for the last time on this collection of the old and the new, the religious and the blue. The old, as ever, stands out. The Blind Boys version of the Soul Stirrers 1950s song (Jesus Hits Like the) Atom Bomb is a marvel of simplicity, the colourful strains of the voices given full rein against a simple instrumental backdrop. There is also a spirited version of Eric Clapton's Blind Faith tune, Presence of the Lord. Ditto for the traditional Old Blind Barnabas and Moses, but the pop classic Spirit in the Sky seems laboured, and Demons is way too cluttered. www.blindboys.com

ANGÁ DÍAZ
Echu Mingua
Worldcircuit
****

Celebrated Cuban conga player Miguel "Angá" Díaz is another offshoot from the Buena Vista Social Club project, albeit a more distant one. Díaz is relatively young, in his mid-40s, but he's played with some serious people both in Cuba and beyond. This record has obviously been a project long in the making because it lists the late, great pianist Ruben Gonzalez among the galaxy of Cuban collaborators. Other formidable names include the jazz pianist Chucko Valdes and bassist Cachaito. Angá says the record is a spiritual journey, very Cuban in its intense rhythms and flair but surprisingly open in its influences. These include the jazz of Coltrane and Monk, the Malian sound of Baba Sissoko and the cosmopolitan scratching by French DJ Dee Nasty. It's a rich stew that contains some very tasty pieces and some rather over-ambitious fare - but, then, he is a drummer!

www.worldcircuit.co.uk