‘World Music’ is in many ways an entirely meaningless concept, used to describe anything that features a tap on a bongo or a dreadlocked frontman. However, the way that Ohio’s Ahmed Gallab, alias Sinkane, effortlessly fuses the Sudanese pop of his homeland with aspects of krautrock and funk make this a fairly apt description for his work.
With tracks reminiscent of John Wizards on the one hand, Althia and Donna on the other hand and William Onyeabor on some remarkable third hand, Sinkane’s music easily keeps the listener interested. “How We Be”, taken from the recently released ‘Mean Love’ album, epitomises his ability to create some seriously down and dirty goddamn funky tunes!
Sinkane plays Start The Bus in Bristol on 18 November.
Conal Dougan