Album review: Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ join up for uplifting blues album TajMo

TajMo by Taj Mahal and Keb Mo. Concord via AP

TajMo

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo

Concord

Three stars

The first collaboration by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – the trailblazer and his by-now experienced disciple – is an easy listen.

Om Sweet Om features exquisite guest vocalist Lizz Wright and a refrain with a sunny, James ­Taylor-like disposition, while All Around the World has Quentin Ware's trumpet solo to accentuate its ­optimistic outlook, also anchored in pop sounds.

Soul, has an indestructible beat inspired by African rhythms and lists enough global locations to assemble a geography bee. Among the detours, The Who's Squeeze Box has lead and rhythm accordions, while guest Bonnie Raitt vocals sounds smooth on John Mayer's Waiting on the World to Change.

Mahal is a golden musical reservoir who also helped Mo' (born Kevin Moore) get his first recording contract, while Mo's roots as an acoustic bluesman are part of a musical identity where pop and other sounds also get their due.

TajMo is an apparent ­contradiction in terms, in that it is an uplifting blues ­record. If there's a ­follow-up – perhaps Keb'Mahal? – there are plenty of other bluesy moods left to explore.

* Associated Press