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An indie rock version of Paul Simon’s Graceland? That’s about the closest reference point for Extra Golden’s inter-continental mix of sly guitars and polyrhythmic beats. The project features members of Golden — a band which has featured members of Trans Am, Weird War and The Mars Volta — performing alongside noted Kenyan musicians Otieno Jagwasi and Onyango Wuod Omari. The resulting Ok-Oyot System is a charming and upbeat album that mixes a worldly vibe with funk flavored passages and unexpectedly heady guitar solos. The interplay and excitement of artists from two different worlds is clear on every note played. Sadly, Jagawasi passed away between the recording sessions and the album’s release, but what remains is a celebration of his craft, and a perfect introduction to worl music for the casual rock fan.
