afrofunk

Today’s story is about Ottawa’s groovy Souljazz Orchestra. Now we all know Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Canada’s primary export is multiculturalism. I’m just kidding!. The Turkish education system never teaches you cool stuff like this, I learnt this by myself on the internet.

Montpellier’s Fanga is one of the two Afrobeat bands that’s released a new album recently (The other being Kokolo). Frankly the selling point for me was the involvement of the legendary Fela Kuti sidekick Tony Allen as I haven’t heard about their 2004 debut “Afrokaliptyik“. Thank God for that because this is an essential piece of modern afrobeat.

In this not so new-but one of the most highly acclaimed albums of this summer so far, Jimi plays the sweet surprise factor as always. I don’t know if it’s because of his broad friend circle of Finnish jazz musicians or the fact that he enjoys dressing like Zeki Müren, or simply because he’s a damn good musician with an open mind, he never loses the surprise factor, always open to experimentation and versatile without losing his own jazzy essence.

I came across this one while searching for some nice afrobeat pieces to play on the show (and i have to admit that’s mostly because fela kuti songs are neverending stories between 8 to 13 minutes…too long for the show) Anyway i’m very happy to have stumbled on this compilation since every song is a gem of spicy afro-funky taste for all Africa 70’s fans out there. If, you’re content with Fela, Tony Allen, and Manu Dibango on the afrobeat subject like me, you shouldn’t be. At least that’s the conclusion I reached after i heard these.

African music whether it’s jazz or ethnic or otherwise, has always been different (from a western perspective anyway) and it’s not really my place to say how African musicians have offered a lot originality and divergence; but i find the 70’s afrobeat scene a special era, totally black roots & African and all that, but also in tune with the western ear and the awakening movement worldwidely acclaimed throughout the 60s and 70s. I find it a universally noteworthy combination much like our Turkish Anatolian Rock scene from the 70’s and just like Turkish Anatolian Rock, it’s unique qualities make 70’s afrobeat scene great listening pieces and great collectibles, also great reminiscents from a time of massive change and rebellion against stagnation.

Ebo Taylor - Heaven
Oscar Sulley & The Uhuru Dance Band - Bukom Mashie
Honny & The Bees Band - Psychedelic Woman