Customer Reviews

Afrobeat No Go Die: Trans Global African Funk

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's a real shame that afrobeat never became mainstream in the states. Then again in this era of TRL and bland boy bands singing manufactured pop songs, I guess it's crazy to expect an American audience to sit through a 15 minute composition from afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti. Anyway, it's their loss.
This CD features a compilation of some of the best contemporary afrobeat tracks around. There are some great tracks like Dele Sosimi's "Gbedu 1", Kiala's "Batumwindu", and "Se re re" by Baba Ani. It took me a while to get into "Dirt and Blood" by Antibalas but it's slamming. However, my favorite track is "side by side", a commentary by Lagbaja on young girls( and their mamas ) in miniskirts giving young dudes high blood pressure.
A minor grouse I have with the playlist is the first track "The same blood". Tony Allen has far better material. "N.E.P.A" and "Road close" come to mind. Also, Groove Collective's "Crisis" does nothing for me. Perhaps a new compilation will feature some material from Lagos based musician Alariwo? The cat has some talent.
All in all, this is a good CD to have whether you are a fan or a newbie to afrobeat.

i dig this album a lot. It has many of the usual afrobeat artists on it: Antibalas, Tony Allen, Daktaris (now defunct: contains a number of members of Antibalas), Femi, Egypt 80. I already had a number of these tracks (and there are only 10 tracks on the album), perhaps that's why this review is only 4 stars.

I would definitely recommend that all you afrobeat heads check out a 100% charity afrobeat compilation for sudan called "ASAP: the afrobeat sudan aid project." The CD is only [...] and contains 12 tracks from many of these artists: Tony Allen (featuring fela kuti), Antibalas and Dele Sosimi, plus a number of really hot emerging afrobeat artists like Akoya, Kokolo, and Ikwunga. [...]

I initially got this CD because it had the only other Lagbaja song that I don't have in my collection -"Side by Side". Perhaps, that's why I was pleased with the CD...I wasn't expecting much. It's a good CD, I particularly like Hugh Masekela's uniqueness in the song tittled "Fela"...nice! It's not a dancesong but it's something you'll enjoy listening to. And for the folks who were regulars at Fela's Shrine, I'll recommend the track- "Se Rere"(Baba Ani's national anthem at the Shrine). Baba Ani(Lekan Animashaun)wasn't as sharp as the good ol' Shrine days..but there's still that deep feeling when you listen to this song....ha! If only the truth were known. The other tracks like "Gbedu1" , "Dirt and Blood" etc are nice modern Afrobeat songs. How can I forget Egbon Femo's energizing "Beng, Beng, Beng"?

Ahhh here's another piece of evidence from where the real funk comes from. This afrorythm collection is a wonderful tribute to "Black President" Fela Kuti. May his rebel spirit never fade away. Horn-laden hypnosis mixed with the typical grooving polyrhythmics - spiritual and funky. A killing mixture of music which has became too rare.