The Mus-o-meter registers Sway Machinery's 'The House of Friendly Ghosts, Volume 1'

Sway Machinery’s first album, “Hidden Melodies Revealed,” had echoes of the Jewish cantorial tradition of bandleader Jeremiah Lockwood’s grandfather. The band’s latest record finds Lockwood looking to the power and energy of African music (catch them live this Saturday at the Bell House). But to really get a sense of what it’s all about, we leave that up to the math of the Mus-o-meter.

The quintessential Malian sound of Super Rail Band on the 2007 album “Soundiata.” Then add…

…The blues guitar of Son House on the 1992 release “The Legendary Son House — Father of the Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions.” Then add…

…The lively, energetic big brass of Balkan Beat Box’s 2005 self-titled debut album. The sum?

Sway Machinery’s sophomore album, “The House of Friendly Ghosts, Volume 1.”