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Sample Track 1:
"Virgin of the Sun God" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 2:
"White Elephant" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 3:
"Holy Ghost Invasion" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 4:
"Bus Driver" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 5:
"Ago Mayo" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 6:
"Ochun Mi" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 7:
"Every Day" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 8:
"Agayu" from Aphrodesia
Sample Track 9:
"World Under Fire" from Aphrodesia
Buy Recording:
Aphrodesia
Layer 2
CD Review
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Billboard, CD Review >>

Aphrodesia is an 11-piece San Francisco band fronted by vocalists/ songwriters Lara Maykovich and Maya Dorn. The band members have fallen under the spell of Fela Kuti's Afrobeat sound, yet they aren't so thoroughly mesmerized that they're impervious to other worldly influences. Such tracks as "Bus Driver" and "White Elephant" are very much in the insistent Afrobeat groove, while "Agayu" has the feel of an Afrobeat horn section gigging with a Cuban trumpet soloist and an Afro-Cuban rhythm section. "Every Day" is a highly melodic amalgam of West African influences, including Afrobeat and high life. Closer "World Under Fire" is deep enough into the musical vibe of Zimbabwe that it hints at the world-class tunes of Oliver Mtukudzi. This is one Bay Area band that could make a living in Dakar or Accra.

- by Philip Van Vleck 01/01/08 >> go there
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