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London Afrobeat Collective: Humans
ByThere have been a few personnel changes since Food Chain (Self Produced, 2015). Percussionist Zak Cohen has left without being replaced, Giuliano Osella is now on drums and, most noticeably, Juanita Euka has replaced Funke Adeleke on vocals, so the band has pared down slightly to a nine-piece line-up. Euka's voice has a lower range than Adekele's, but it's just as powerful, with a rough edge that gives added force to the anger to be found in many of the lyrics. Euka's vocal power is matched by that of the instrumentalists; this is a mighty band of musicians (and video evidencesee YouTube, below suggests that the band is a superb live act as well).
The London Afrobeat Collective formed in 2009, so this release celebrates its tenth anniversary. Following the pattern of Food Chain, Humans combines politically forthright, socially aware, lyrics with powerful wall-of-sound music. All of the songs are credited as whole-band compositions and, for the most part, focus on ensemble performanceshighlighted particularly on "Prime Resources," "Stop Talking" and "Tolembi" where the horns fly in unison above the punchy rhythm section. There are some strong solos, too. Taken together, this three-pronged attack of voice, ensemble and solos makes Humans one of the best of 2019's releases.
Track Listing
Tolembi; Power To The Women; Prime Resources; Tokomona; Stop Talking; They Come & They Go; All You Need Is Air; Walk Alone.
Personnel
London Afrobeat Collective
band / ensemble / orchestraJuanita Euka: vocals; Alex Farrell: guitar; Alex Szyjanowicz: guitar; Andy Watts: trumpet; Edmund Swinburn: tenor saxophone; Klibens Michelet: baritone saxophone; John Mathews: bass guitar; Lee Crips: congas; Giuliano Osella: drums.
Album information
Title: Humans | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About London Afrobeat Collective
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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