Search - Antibalas :: Liberation Afrobeat 1

Old afrobeat flavours.

Matthias Mazzag | Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada | 02/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 14 piece ensemble hails from 'Brooklyn, NY* United Police States of America' - according to the back cover. The band includes members of Soul Providers and Daktaris Allstars, both of whom used to be great Desco acts. The former specialized in funk/soul as played back in '69/'70: fluent bass lines, choppy/chicken guitars, pulsating drums topped with screaming organ work. The latter focused on bringing back the Ransom days, when Fela Kuti was busy cranking out 15 minute long afrobeat tunes in Nigeria. With this album you get the best of both worlds. On the Daktaris recording I missed the organ/keyboard playing, but the horns were hard hitting. So they kept the horns and added keyboards for some enhanced groovism. The drums are funky, but also a lot more. They play a complex rythm and at the same time their repitativity draws you in until slowly you hear the tune unfold. Kind of hard to describe but there is reason why these songs are 6-8 minutes long.Martin Antibalas plays the baritone sax and conducts the music. With song titles like 'Dirt and blood' and 'Uprising' they continue in the tradition of Fela Kuti who added a political message to his funky music.This is funky world music people! Recommended to anyone who likes Fela Kuti's earlier work or any band on the Desco label."

Amazing

Sean M. Kelly | Portland, Oregon United States | 04/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is more than just wonderful retro-funk- it's an album brimming with confidence. There is little doubt that Antibalas has major talent, and their brand of Feli Kuti-esque soul/funk mixed with ska and reggae influences is perfect to groove to. There really is not much to say about this lp that the music can't explain for itself, so give this lp a good listen or 2, fall in love with its tight, funky grooves, and prepare to be amazed.Recommended to anyone who digs Fela or Femi Kuti's brand of deep dish African funk pie. A wonderful listen."

Sonically amazing, musically fantastic

C.B. Derrick | From the 2.20 Aspect Ratio | 02/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Afrobeat is TOTALLY underrepresented in the mainstream airwaves, and that's a crying shame. I guess with very little lyrics to their music, an MTV appearance is out of the question; but that's MTV's loss. Don't miss out Antibalas. I saw them live at the Temple Bar in LA and they blew me away. The orchestration of their big band is sublime with all the aggressiveness one would expect from those following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti. They groove and swing with incredible passion and intensity.The song World War IV sums up the political stance of the group and you can't deny it."