Tag Archives: Afrobeat
Big Mean Sound Machine – Runnin’ for the Ghost (self-released)
More fine tunes from this Ithaca, NY based Afrobeat-jazz-space band. More than a dozen musicians, with an amazing percussion, a blazing brass section, bass you can feel in your stomach, layers of synthesizer & other embellishments, exciting compositions… Don’t miss this!
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Madjafalao (Because)
This band was founded in Benin Africa in 1968, releasing more than 50 albums into the 1980s, and then reformed with some of the original members in 2008 and released a new CD in 2011. Now here’s another CD full of new music that sounds fantastic & yet remains firmly rooted in highlife & Afrobeat, […]
The KutiMangoes – Made in Africa (Tramp)
Second CD from this award-winning band of Danish jazz musicians, with arrangements that beautifully mix jazz and West African influences. Creative directors are Michael Blicher (sax) and Gustav Rasmussen (trombone & guitar). This one was recorded in Burkina Faso, home of their frequent collaborator and vocalist Patrick Kabre (hence the title). Tracks 5 & 9 […]
Jungle by Night – The Hunt (Kindred Spirits)
Initially inspired by the Budos Band, this group of nine young friends from Amsterdam delivers an eclectic blend of Afrobeat, Ethiojazz, rock, funk, and youthful energy, with three horns, three percussionists, & nice interplay between bass, keyboards, & guitar. Playing in the Showcase Lounge at Higher Ground, Wed, July 8th, 2015, 8:30 PM More info […]
Dele Sosimi – You No Fit Touch Am (WahWah 45s)
Afrobeat returns with style thanks to Fela Kuti’s (Egypt 80) keyboardist turned bandleader & active performer, who has been treating London to the classic sounds of 1970s Lagos for years but hasn’t released a CD in nearly a decade. Here is his 12-piece band & seven original compositions in a style he roughly translates from […]
QUITAPENAS – QUITAPENAS (Más Tropical)
Hailing from Los Angeles, QUITAPENAS’ (yes, it’s all-caps) self-titled debut is a very fun, high-energy and danceable album. Think Afro-Latin, cumbia, roots music, and tropicalia on modern instruments. Definitely worth a spin — many good numbers on here!
Les Freres Smith – Free to Go (self-released)
A 12-member orchestra from Paris, France with 10 years’ experience specializing in high-energy Afrobeat & Ethiopian-flavored tunes. Fresh, complexly layered compositions played with crisp precision and awe-inspiring coordination between tight, raucous horns, complex percussion & bass, masterful guitar & keyboarding, & redolent vocals. A WRUV exclusive (until others catch on) provided directly from the band. […]
Fela Kuti – Finding Fela (KFR)
Two CD soundtrack to the new movie by director Alex Gibney about the life of Fela Kuti (1938-1997) – creator of Afrobeat – & his courageous fight for democracy in Nigeria. Features edited (for length) classic tracks with Nigeria 70 & Egypt 80 (& one with his 60’s band Koola Lobitos), plus two tracks by […]
ANTH: Africa – A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand (Paris DJs Soundsystem)
Full title is “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand: Tropical Grooves & Afrofunk International Vol. 5.” Yes, the fifth CD in this series in just 18 months. It seems every top Afrobeat & Afro-funk band in the world must compete to be included in this label’s compilations. So not surprisingly, this CD is crammed […]
ANTH: Ghana – Afrobeat Airways 2: Return Flight To Ghana 1974-1983 (Analog Africa)
Samy Ben Redjeb, the highly selective & persistent crate-digger at Analog Africa, has collected & restored another great batch of obscure tracks from ’70s & ’80s Ghana; an audio record of chance collaborations, unreleased demos, & undiscovered stars. A super 13-track collection of Afrobeat, Afro-funk, & highlife music designed to keep you bouncing on the […]
Bosq from Whiskey Barons – Bosq Y Orquesta De Madera (Ubiquity)
Nice collection of Afrobeat, Afro-Latin and related styles of danceable tunes, featuring producer and multi-instrumentalist Ben Wood (Bosq) on most instruments, plus session players & guest vocalists on nearly every track, including Kaleta from Benin/Nigeria & Tita Lima from Brazil. Fans of Afro-fusion will find much to like here. Here’s a free Tita Lima (Brazilian) […]
Mulatu Astatke – Sketches of Ethiopia (Harmonia Mundi)
Justly known as the godfather of Ethio-jazz, Astatke began as a percussionist & vibraphonist, then developed during collaborations with Duke Ellington & other jazz greats, & later turned to musical composition, drawing heavily on his Ethiopian roots. His current music features many traditional Ethiopian instruments, scales, & rhythms combined with elements of Jazz, Latin & […]
ANTH: Africa – Rise of the Troubadour Warriors: Tropical Grooves & Afrofunk International Vol.3 (Paris DJs Soundsystem)
Yet another epic collection of new, hand-picked, Afro, Ethio, & Latin-inspired funk, soul, & jazz gems by 15 different top bands in these genres, all magnificently remastered by Grant Phabao of Paris DJs. Fans of this style will be joyfully overwhelmed. Listen to the music here on Bandcamp
Femi Kuti – No Place For My Dream (KFR)
Fela’s eldest son has returned to his musical heritage, delivering a CD that would make his dad proud; nice Afrobeat with classic arrangements & politically oriented lyrics. The sound is more organic and true to the genre than his arguably over-produced 2011 CD. Well worth spinning. Official website with more info & video
ANTH: Africa – We Are The Fire Inside Your Mind (Paris DJs Soundsystem)
Paris-based Djouls with label co-founders Loik Dury & Grant Phabao have done it again, gathering & re-mastering a brilliant selection of Afro, Latin, & Caribbean funk, Ethio jazz & more. This is a real gem! The full CD title is “We Are The Fire Inside Your Mind: Tropical Grooves & Afrofunk International Vol. 2.” These […]
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