Two Man Ting
Album: Ar Lek U
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 4
Website: http://www.twomanting.co.uk/

Ar Lek U is a 4-track EP by duo Jon Lewis and Jah-man Aggrey, and is the follow up to their 2010 album Legacy. As a sampler to the delights of this essentially African music twosome, it is to be strongly recommended.

Built around Jon's rolling guitar, often playing lead over his own loops, the songs are coloured by the Jah-man's tasteful percussion and strong vocals. Singing both in his traditional Krio (Sierra Leone) and in English, Jah-man has a clear voice and great articulation. Together they produce a clear, bright sound which is joyful without being jarring, restful without being soporific. Bouncy opening track Jomp En Tonorbur has a township jive feel, with Jon's multi-track guitars bringing back memories of the Four Brothers. Title track Ar Lek U (I like you) is another gentle, up-tempo number; bamboo flute leads into another of Jon's authentic guitar rhythms. Jah-man's warm lyrics are complemented by a ringing acoustic guitar solo. Righteous Man, as the title suggests, has a more Jamaican feel, as Jon lays down a beat on his bass strings, adds a reggae rhythm on a second guitar, before adding a third lead line over the top. (Why am I made to think of Jonathan Richman's Egytian Reggae?). Add Jah-man's djembe beat and reggae vocals from both of them, and you get an object lesson in the African origins of West Indian music! Closing this set is Badger Shoes 13 - an instrumental feature for Jon's multi-track guitar. Essentially it is a blues - but then so is so much West African music! The lead guitar tuning and backing loops produce a kora-like sound, underlain by Jah-man's subtle percussive effects; it's probably my favourite track on what is a delightful and beautifully recorded 23 minutes - modern music which remains true to its African roots.

Martin Price