CD review: Bela Fleck, "Throw Down Your Heart"

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

World music

Bela Fleck “Throw Down Your Heart, Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3: Africa Sesssions” (Rounder Records)

Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck took his open, creative mind and skilled fingers to Uganda, Mali, Tanzania and several other countries to make music with African performers in “Throw Down Your Heart,” the third of his occasional series “Tales from the Acoustic Planet.”

The Grammy winner and his crew effectively capture and convey the earthy beauty and diversity of African music with the 18 engaging tracks. The album offers a mix of traditionals, originals penned by Fleck’s collaborators and new songs co-written by the banjo picker and his African cohorts.

In the equally absorbing liner notes, Fleck says he was inspired to travel to Africa after learning of his instrument’s origins there. He also tells interesting stories about the recording process and the meaning of each song in the notes.