” Even The Moon is Dancing is the most ambitious and memorable of three NJO albums.
On side one, traditional and contemporary Africa meet, and so do instruments and techniques by the bushel. Updating and Africanizing The Mooche. Ellington’s circa 1929 composition for jungle orchestra ( an NJO namesake?) … A celebratory ostinato, spacious melodic intervals, and a bright Mandinkan vocal chorus precede Dørge’s ringing guitar lines. His solo captures the essence of African plectrists, though not without some Wes Montgomery octaves and free fretwork for good measure.