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Album Review

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra: Who is This America?

Read "Who is This America?" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
December 7, 2010

Few American bands have been more influential in the global Afrobeat movement than the Brooklyn collective Antibalas. Keeper of the African protest flame ignited by Nigerian musician/activist Fela Kuti in the 1970s, Antibalas' reach is expansive and impressive: it contributed to the Tony- nominated musical Fela!, their horn section won a Grammy for their charts on Angelique Kidjo's Djin Djin (2007, EMI), other members worked with the Dap-Kings as the rhythm engine behind Amy Winehouse's breakout Back to Black (2006, ...

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Album Review

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra: Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1

Read "Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
November 7, 2002

For those who thought Afrobeat died in the '70s, Antibalas has something else coming. The grooves on Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1 run as deep as anything that ever came out of Lagos. This 13-15 member orchestra, in the grand tradition of Fela Kuti's groups, builds up unfolding trance music by using just about every instrument as a rhythm instrument. Even the horns lay out lines bubbling with counterpoint and accent. It's a remarkable demonstration of the idea of a sound ...