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AFROBEAT... No Go Die!!! After being introduced to the sounds of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen while working and living in Africa, this mysterious and original sound known as Afrobeat had taken me in it's grasp. With the news that the NYC-based Antibalas would be making a stop at the Higher Ground in Winooski, I was anticipating the experience for what was being billed "...an afrobeat meltdown!"
Being from the Chicagoland area, I've been known to pass up shows at certain venues in the city for a variety of reasons. I am a true believer that the energy that a group of people bring to a room can make or break a show at times. To say the least, everyone at the Higher Ground was excited and flowing with good energy for what was in store. Being new to the venue, I always look for the "sweet spot" in the room where the music sounds and feels the best. After walking around the venue, I couldn't find a spot that wasn't sweet. The sound at the Higher Ground is amazing for a venue of it's size. Their is also ample room to lounge, relax, stand, or DANCE! On top of that they had my favorite... good ol' Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Sambatuca, the opening act got everyone warmed up with a tribal percussion-heavy groove. It was then announced that Antibalas would be giving us two sets, which made this particular attendee happy with glee. When the band took the stage, I noticed that they were missing some people from the 14-15 people that they usually perform with. It was told that one of the vans got stuck in a snow bank coming up to Vermont, hopefully no one was hurt. I thought on how this would be interesting for the bands sound, mainly due to the fact that the organ and second guitar are essential to create the Afrobeat sound. With that said, the 10 members that were on stage proceeded to delve into the funk-ridden sounds that The Black President gave us.
In the liner notes for the Shanachie Records compilation AFROBEAT...NO GO DIE!, the unique, amazing, and unheralded Tony Allen (drummer for Fela's Afrika 70 Band) had this to say, "Afrobeat is drumming. If the drums isn't happening, no afrobeat." This is one of my favorite ways to describe this sound, it is what stood out the most when I first heard the music.
Antibalas does a fantastic job of setting up the blueprint of their sound with the unique drum phrasing and head-bobbing percussion that they lay down. The bass player did a excellent job of providing the bottom end, while the guitar player kept strumming out lazy and hypnotic funk riffs that would make James Brown proud. The horn section was lead by a baritone sax that had a deep and rich bellow, and a trumpet player that kept the energy level at a high octane. Duke Amayo, one of the two conga players the band has is also the main vocalist. He had a great presence with the mic in his hand whether it be singing in Yoruba or English. Beyond the layers of funk and African rhythms that are prevalent in the music, there is a strong Latin undercurrent. Add to this a dash of hip-hop and a cosmic groove that had folks in attendance either dancing or bobbing their heads to this old sound that is being reintroduced today for our listening pleasure.
After two sets for only five bucks I was convinced that Afrobeat is here to stay with an amazing act like Antibalas. Even with the missing members they made a strong enough impression to keep this band as one to watch, listen, and enjoy for time to come. For all the folks in the Chicago... make sure not to miss this horn-laden, polyrhythmic groove as they invade the Windy City next. PEACE!!
Cecil Thomas
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