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Soundwaves
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VirginianPilot, Soundwaves >>
Chopteeth
'Afrofunk Big Band'
An effective way to beat the post-holiday blues is to dance into the new year to the debut from Washington, D.C.-based Afrobeat ensemble Chopteeth. This 15-member horn-driven band can now take its palce alongside its Brooklyn-based cousins Antibalas as expert U.S. purveyors of 70s American funk blended with roiling Yoruba rhythms.
Alongside its battery of horns blaring over steams of percussive rhythms, its musical reach also includes Ghanian high-life and South African Soweto swing and vocal harmonies to create an effective batch of pan-African dance grroves. Music director/guitarist Michael Shereikis has created jumpy, eclectic musical arrangements to power the group's multiple keyboards and vocalists, quintet of horn players and trio of percussionists.
Founded by labor organizer and group bassist Robert Fox, Chopteeth espouses Third Word liberation idealogy. But if you don't buy into the leftist sloganeering of the lyrics, no matter: this group can keep the groove flowing and going all year long.
By Eric Feber 01/02/09 >> go there
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