B-Tribe Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
Nothing on 5 will surprise those who either love or doze off to the sound of B-Tribe. Deep, lustrous textures, composed of artfully blended synthetic and sampled sound, hang like heavy drapery as minor-key progressions trudge past. Now and then Paco Fernandez's flamenco guitar flares up, sometimes before this somber backdrop, sometimes in unaccompanied flurries. Luna Mohamed sings here and there, more often than Susan Caroll, whose restrained ululations add to the sensuality of "Mi Alma Español." Neither performance, however, disturbs the sleek Euro gloom that shrouds, albeit skillfully, these ten tracks of 5. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide
'Spiritual Spiritual'
Release Date 10/9/2001
Tracks 12
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Though Higher Octave Music has branched out into many different genres in its 15-year existence, the label was launched as a new age venture with numerous meditation-minded releases. B-Tribe's label debut combines this dreamy, floating vibe of relaxation with pleasant melodies and worldbeat touches reminiscent of the label's catalog in that genre. Think John Serrie with a few exotic brushes from Ottmar Liebert. Claus Zundel, the mastermind behind this appealing sound, recorded this effort in Ibiza, Spain, and Miami, and so it's no surprise that many of the tracks incorporate the mystical, exotic flamenco guitar weavings of Paco Fernandez. The "Intro" finds Fernandez noodling as if in search of a theme as a wash of synth mood and spacy energy wafts into the background. "Adagio in G-Minor" is a slow, brooding seduction that begins purely atmospheric but then incorporates a dreamy guitar melody. On "La Guitarra," there is a blend of low and high acoustic guitar lines with a soaring wordless female vocal moving in and out in the background. "Sketches of St. Antoni" features the lazy flügelhorn of Mark Smith, and sounds like a sweet little outtake from a Chris Botti project. The tempo pretty much stays at the meditational pace throughout, sometimes (as on "Sunset in San Carlos") drawing upon combinations of Eastern textures and medieval church flavors. Definitely soothing. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Sensual Sensual is an intriguing blend of Latin, ambient and electronic music that rivals the Claus Zundel's previous work under the B-Tribe name. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
If you can imagine the music of Vangelis with a Spanish flavor, that's exactly what B-Tribe sounds like on Fiesta Fatal! Spanish flamenco guitar and chanting vocals are united with high-tech, very electronic tracks and an ambience that was clearly influenced by Vangelis. The music is certainly different and unconventional, and the last thing one would call this CD is generic. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
