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Elly Roberts reviews
Family Recordings
- Cat.no: 9824254
- Released: October 2004
- Rating: 6/10
Want to impress your friends with something really different? Check out Essential Afrobeat.
Currently enjoying a revival on the club scene, particularly in London,Afrobeat began in the 70s.
Attributed to Fela Anikulapo – Kutis Africa 70 band (later Egypt 80), itgives a heavy nod in the James Brown direction as he pursued his funkyworkouts. Although Kuti died in 1997 at the age of 57, his legacy lives on as does his influences.
It drew on American Funk and Jazz, and threw it back in another form. Born inthe Egba branch of the Yoruba tribe in Abeokuta Nigeria in 1938, he went on tostudy trumpet and music theory at Trinity College of Music London for fiveyears. In 1969 he spent some time in Los Angeles, eventually returning toLagos with his new invention Afrobeat.
A flamboyant and ferocious style, the genre is extremely energetic bubblingbaselines, strong brass blasts, and indigenous drum beats, its a real musicalfeast of a beast. Most of this youll be hearing for the first time, like me.
Theres the odd exception like the frisky cover of Bob Marleys Get UpStand Up, featuring some impressive bass, guitar and strings.James Brown, Fatboy Slim, Herbie Hancock, and Hugh Masekela all throw theirweight behind this enormous tracklisting 41 in the mix without breaks sevenof which are by Kuti himself. (Check the Amazon link above for the full tracklisting)
Foot-stomping from the start it will eventually get to you, but be warned ifyoure planning to dance to it, this is guaranteed to push you to the limit so get some refreshment before you take off!
Disc 3, Afro Chill Mix will do want it says on the tin mellow moments tofollow, but in Afrobeat tradition – its not too chilled.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.