This 2020 album from the dynamic, genre-bending quintet from Seattle recently piqued my interest when I saw it appear prominently on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 World Album Chart. Duende Libre features longtime collaborators Alex Chadsey (piano, keyboard), Farko Dosumov (electric bass), and Jeff “Bongo” Busch (drums, percussion). Frank Anderson and Chava Mirel add vocals and handclaps, and a track like “Dansa” provides a spirited conversation between the two that speaks to the groove. Guests Thione Diop (tama, djembe) is included on three tracks, and Jabrille “Jimmy James” Williams’ electric guitar is an expressive coloring in the tone palette of “You Gotta Go.” The third album from Duende Libre features three compositions by Alex Chadsey. “Hush (Dawn)” and “Hush (Twilight) open and close the set with their musical language that seems intent on breaking down barriers. “Echoes” features a traditional Wassoulou rhythm called “soboninkun,” in fact, six of the tracks are based on traditional songs and rhythms from Mali and the Republic of Guinea. Seattle is a city known for its multi-ethnic demographic, and it’s certainly a pleasure to “hear the dance and see the music” of Duende Libre as they present an exquisite jazzy sound, with African influences, to create their own lyrical signature sound full of charm and personality.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)