Samla Mammas Manna - Kaka (CD)

All Music Guide

Humor is something that's missing from most jazz-fusion, which, like hard bop, post-bop and avant-garde jazz, tends to be intellectual and complex. But you'll find plenty of humor on Kaka, a quirky jazz-rock offering consisting of studio recordings from 1998 and live material that was recorded in Sweden and Norway from 1993-98. Samla Mammas Manna certainly doesn't shy away from the cerebral, but the veteran Swedish group combines intellect with a heavy dose of humor and goofiness that sets it apart from the fusion of Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul and Larry Coryell. Although Samla can be a little too self-indulgent at times, the Swedes' risk-taking spirit generally serves them well on Kaka, which often brings elements of Greek, Middle Eastern and Jewish music to their jazz-rock foundation. Fusion fans who are seeking something unorthodox should make a point of obtaining this CD.

- Alex Henderson, All Music Guide