An Díaz and Yokatta Brothers – Alana
Yokatta Blues YR2301
10 songs – 34 minutes
Producing an all-original mix that reproduces the sound of first-generation blues to open before moving slowly to deliver a contemporary sound, An Díaz and the Yokatta Brothers celebrate victory over tragedy on this album, a follow-up to their successful Between Two Worlds 2018 CD, which put them on the map internationally after two previous EPs of covers.
The group’s a unique pairing of Díaz, an in-your-face, gospel-trained vocalist Buenos Aires, Argentina-born vocalist now based in Paris with a propulsive trio who hail from the north of France and are steeped in the sounds of New Orleans. Put them together and you get an interesting, hard-to-define roux that delivers a consistent tip-of-the-hat to bygone eras while modern sounds with a decided edge.
Consistent prize winners in France, they took home the Heroes Challenge award at the Retro C’est Trop Festival and the Polish Prize at the Mississippi Blues Trail Challenge at the Cahors Blues Festival in 2023 after winning multiple honors at other fests in the past.
An doubles on kazoo here along with her “brothers” — Manuslide on guitars and harp, Stéphane Bihan on upright and electric bass and Julien Mahieux on percussion — all of whom contribute backing vocals. The album’s title honors Díaz’s painter sister Alana — who took her own life around the time of release of the band’s first full-length effort – along with the healing power of the blues, which enabled An to overcome her loss.
“Spiral Up” opens the action with the country blues feel of early superstar Tommy Johnson and the languid vocal phrasings of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith as An announces “there’s plenty of room to grow and many, many places to go” to find peace of mind. Manuslide’s steady finger picking drives the tune forward atop a steady two-four rhythm. It gives way to “Laugh It Off,” a sprightly number that comes with a ‘30s feel and delivers a tip of the hat to Tampa Red and Sonny Boy Williamson I and advises the need to use humor in the face of life’s difficulties.
“Fall in Lust” moves the feel up a decade. It’s a torch song styled after the music of Dinah Washington that offers a lover the chance to see what the singer can do. The band’s Big Easy roots surface in the electric “Can’t Stop Now,” a ‘50s-style number that honors the musical diversity of the city while tossing a little shine on Bo Diddley, too, through the distinctive beat.
Putting the past in the past, An and the boys finish the disc in style with their own hybrid, electrified sound. “Gone Away” opens the set quietly with An and Manuslide in the spotlight throughout before “Make ‘em Count” kicks things into high gear atop a funky beat as the singer wonders what they have to do to avoid wasting time. The song features a tasty, un-credited sax solo. “Trop Forte” – French for “too strong” – offers a confidence boost, stating that you’ve got more power than you might suspect to overcome the roadblocks in your way.
The medium-tempo “No Risk” drives steadily forward while announcing support for someone who feels lost A bass run opens “Y.O.K.A.T.T.A.” It’s funky number in which all of the principals are featured on mic and delivering lyrics chockful of personal memories, not-so-inside jokes and more, all of which combine to express their joy at overcoming adversity. A duo version of “No Risk” brings the album to a powerful close.
Don’t attempt to pin down this disc to any one style, but give it a listen. It’s an interesting mix of new and old that you’ll enjoy.