Benefit albums are generally praised in the press because, even if the music is not that good, they mean well. Until proven otherwise, a good review is one of the most flawless ways for mere enjoyment to convert into proceeds. But Project Ahimsa is different because it's better. Not only does it have good music to speak for a good cause, it also engages the children in need in the whole process. And that is noble and fair.
Founded in the wake of America's troubled response to the 9/11 events, the project has since been home to some funky, socially aware rhythms. For this "Global Lingo" release, luminaries like Michael Franti & Spearhead, Miguel Migs, and J-Boogie joined forces with the children that benefited from the Project's programs over the past seven years. That engagement is most evident on tracks like Seasunz & Diamond of Art in Action's "Sunshine" or "El Tiburon del Lago Cocibolca", as performed by The Children of Ritmos en los Barrios.
Even when the chanting sounds just too childish (and that does happen a couple of times), the grooves are deep and the beats are pretty sharp. There's plenty of dancehall-oriented stuff to marinate on as well, like the aptly titled "Ahimsa Street Dub", delivered by J-Boogie & Tablapusher. But the greatest highlight from this hour's worth of music has to be Franti & Spearhead's "Hello Bonjour", which features no less that rhythm section legends Sly and Robbie.
This is well-intentioned celebratory music that connects the dots between faraway forms of expression like bhangra and reggae, African tribal chants and electronica. By doing so, this record does so much more than most disposable, contemporary music records with chartbusting qualities. And, in addition, as the old saying goes, by working with the poorest kids in the world, Project Ahimsa teaches them to fish so they can then feed themselves for a lifetime.
http://www.properlychilled.com/music/release/profile.php?view=705
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