There is one thing that distinguishes Afrobeat music. It is never just music. It is political inspiration without lyrics. It was designed by its founder Fela Kuti as music to empower people in the face of Africa’s cruel dictatorships.
In the 6 years since Kuti’s death, the music has gone through a number of transformations. One of the most interesting is the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, a gathering of Latin and African and American musicians from New York. They mix their Nigerian, Ghanian, Cuban, Jamaican and Brazilian sounds to form the next generation of Afrobeat.
But don’t work too hard to take it apart; it is funk and jazz. It’s meant to wash over you; to get you moving, and thinking. Caution: the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra is closer than it appears.
Antibalas will be performing:
Fri. 2/28 Winooski, VT, at Higher Ground, and Sat. 3/1 Northampton, MA at the Iron Horse Music Hall
Guests:
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra