Track Listing
1 - The Same Blood: Tony Allen
2 - Beng Beng Beng: Femi Kuti
3 - Gbedu 1: Dele Sosimi
4 - Batumwindu: Kiala
5 - Upsidown: Daktaris
6 - Crisis: Groove Collective
7 - Flea: Hugh Masekela
8 - Dirt And Blood: Antibalas
9 - Side By Side: Lagbaja
10 - Se Re Se: Baba Ani & Egypt 80
The roots of much modern dance music is intertwined with the monumental afro-beat style pioneered by Nigerian Fela Ransome-Kuti in the 70’s. The resurgence of this polyrhythmic hypnotic groove-music did not really make itself felt until the late 90’s and Afrobeat No Go Die which was released in 2000 is arguably one of the best examples of recent afrobeat. Who better to kick the compilation off with his new composition The Same Blood than drummer Tony Allen, the original driving force behind Fela’s most influential music?
This is sparser with insistent snare, electric keyboards and spaced out vocals but it definitely grooves. As Tony says “ Afrobeat is drumming. If the drums isn’t happening; no afrobeat.”
Fela’s son singer/saxophonist Femi gets down with his exciting up-tempo hit Beng Beng Beng. He’s quite the ambassador for the renaissance adding here sexually charged lyrics and exciting horn lines. Nigerian pianist Dele Sosimi was with Fela’s Egypt 80 orchestra in the 80’s and Gbedu 1 for keyboards percussion and brass kicks along nicely. Kiala quote Fela to good effect while the Daktaris who were the most influential in the music’s 90’s renaissance keep the lamp burning brightly with some superb brawling on baritone sax on their Upsidown. Groove Collection who are based in New York present the spacy jazz of Crisis which segues into South African Hugh Masekela’s Fela; not really afrobeat proper, but who cares? Smouldering and funky with Hugh’s beautifully husky singing and poised trumpet, it’s an absolute highlight.
It’s a mystery to me why the NY collective of Latin and African musicians Antibalas is so popular though. Their Blood and Fire certainly isn’t bad but a bit too derivative for its own good. Lagbaja is a new Nigerian saxophone and vocal star who is reputedly an electric live performer who apparently always appears masked. His Side By Side features some interesting traditional sounding vocals before breaking out into some fairly standard afro-beat. Fun but not essential. Baba Ani is a baritone saxophonist who took over the leadership of Fela’s band Egypt 80 when Tony Allen left and continued to direct this huge band after Fela’s death in 1997. Se Re Re Re with its classic groove takes the CD out in fine style. There are comprehensive liner notes, a great cover featuring a young bespangled Nigerian lady blowing a fat spliff and too much good music to ignore. Richard Jasiutowicz
