ARTIST: LIONEL LOUEKE

TITLE: KARIBU (BLUE NOTE RECORDS)

STARS: 4 OUT O 5 STARS

SOUNDS LIKE: Loueke explores the percussive qualities of the guitar on this odd metered musical excursion that blends West African rhythms with American jazz traditions

I first heard Lionel Loueke on Herbie Hancock’s 2005 album “Possibilities” and was blown away by his approach to the guitar. In his hands the instrument takes on a drum-like, percussive quality. A plucky resonant sound reminiscent of gypsy swing jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt who after losing two fingers in a fire had to develop another way of playing the guitar.

But Loueke draws heavily upon his West African heritage in his approach to jazz, often using his mouth as a percussive instrument as well. He mixes African rhythms with American jazz traditions to create a unique musical landscape that’s all his own.

Sometimes it’s as warm and festive as a tribal dance. At other times it’s contemplatively complex with complex meter and chord changes. It’s all cerebrally entertaining.

“My music is very easy and is very complicated,” Loueke said from a press release. “Most of my stuff is in odd meters...”

“Karibu” is Loueke’s major label debut which features his long standing trio ofs bassist Massimo Biolcati and drummer Ferenc Memeth. Jazz masters Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock also sit in with the guitarist on a couple of the albums nine tracks.

Legendary saxophonist Shorter simply adds an elegant introspective touch to any composition sort of like a Morgan Freeman movie voice-over. His clean, economical style and Hancock’s cerebral piano playing is what adds a complex almost avant garde flavor to the 10 minute “Light Dark.”

There’s also a refreshing update of Shorter’s trademark “Naima.” Here it sounds almost unrecognizable, stripped down to the harmonic structures of the original. But Shorter is nevertheless in fine form. His soprano flits in and out of the intricate arrangement and Loueke’s drum like accompaniment like a musical butterfly.

“Karibu” grows on you with each listen. And each listen bring along another surprise, a well-placed bell, cymbal or other musical nuance that you missed before.

It’s a stunning debut by a unique guitarist and future jazz legend.