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CD Review/Concert Preview
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Washington Post, CD Review/Concert Preview >>
From its base in exotic Brooklyn, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra furthers thestyle of Nigerian jazz-funk firebrand Fela Kuti, who died in 1997. Ofcourse, Fela also has a legitimate heir, his son Femi. But he's diverted hisfather's style into a techno-pop course, while Antibalas (which means"bulletproof") retains Fela's sprawling big-band style. Still, this 16-pieceoutfit downplays one aspect of Fela's music: its message.
The name of Antibalas's second album, "Talkatif," turns out to be less thanapt; of the disc's seven pieces, only two feature vocals. Such titles as"Hypocrite" and "War Is a Crime" identify tracks whose entire remarks comefrom blaring horns, bleating organ and chattering congas. Antibalas'splaying is crisp and tight, but the absence of the human voice is a problem:Most of these tracks seem designed to propel something that isn't there.What's lacking becomes clear during "Nyash" and especially thealmost-10-minute title track. Midway through the latter, percussionist DukeAmayo begins to sing and the music comes alive. Antibalas needn't begarrulous, but a few well-chosen words give the band's driving grooves asense of direction.
-- Mark Jenkins
Appearing Saturday at the Black Cat. . To hear a free Sound Bite fromAntibalas, call Post-Haste at 202-334-9000 and press 8128. (Prince Williamresidents, call 703-690-4110.) 01/24/03 >> go there
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