ALBINO! | 05.03.09 | San Francisco
By Team JamBase May 13, 2009 • 3:08 pm PDT

ALBINO! :: 05.03.09 :: The Independent :: San Francisco, CA
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ALBINO! is a ten-piece band, which features a seasoned horn section comprised of Michael Bello (tenor sax), Chris Brown (trumpet), Patrick Byers (baritone sax) and Nathan Endsley (tenor sax). What struck me about these four is how each individually showed amazing talent during solos, able to stand alone but just as strong in the group setting. ALBINO! approached their sound in two pieces. The first focuses solely on providing a solid rhythm backbone, and the second uses that to springboard into the repetitive melody lines that define this type of music. Their rhythm section isn’t overpowered by the horn section either, with Julian Fritz on kit and Matt Smith on percussion the band is never going to be short of beat power.
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Before ALBINO! took the stage, I followed the instructions when purchasing my ticket and got it stamped for a free copy of their latest release, Peralta House. This evening they made sure it was abundantly clear that they want everyone to hear this album, and if you are a fan of Fela, Antibalas or The Motet you are going to dig it. One by one, the members took the stage, each adding a new layer until launching into “Yo(u) U(s) American Dream.” Throughout both sets guitarists Jacob Groopman and Cal Reichenbach proved their worth with incredible solo chops. But, in this style of music the real test of the musician is to play the same freakin’ line, over and over again, for eight minutes straight. It takes a lot of talent to “stay inside the box,” and this group’s talent screams at you from the stage.
Midway through the set, Kim Agnew took a break from her traditional hand shaker and used the drum jam to showcase some of the moves she’s picked up while studying with West African dancers and performing with other world music groups like Panjea. She shook her limbs and did tribal high steps, looking authentic the entire way. It was an effective way to give the crowd’s hips a break from the non-stop dance party. As she finished her routine, the rest of the band returned to the stage to take the audience into setbreak with “Jing Bongwa,” which really highlighted the strength of the horn section.
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This group turned me around this evening, and I am thankful that they enjoy playing the Bay Area as frequently as they do because I won’t miss another opportunity to catch them. If you want to see a great band that is going to make you smile and move your body around while being surrounded with like-minded individuals also having a great time, then ALBINO! is the show you need to go see.
ALBINO! :: 05.03.09 :: The Independent :: San Francisco, CA
Set I: Yo(u) U(s) American Dream, Brown and Serve, P-Slap, Floating Nation, Peralta House, Everyone Has Answers, Jing Bongwa
Set II: Bade, Speak, No Face Enemy, Hmmm, Sweat, Steppin, On The Bus
Encore: Land
ALBINO! tour dates available here.
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