AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #11: CHICO MANN – ‘CALL AND RESPONSE’

February 6, 2012 2 Comments

Chico Mann is the solo moniker of Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra‘s guitarist/singer Marcos García. Raised in a Cuban householod in New York  — to a record store owner father and pianist mother — Chico grew up with all sorts of Afro-Cuban musical stimuli.

Among his favorites are Willie Colón, Lisa Lisa, Afrika Bambaataa, and of course Fela Kuti, whose Africa 70 band serves as the model for Antibalas. Chico brings this convergence of 1970s Afrobeat, 1980s Freestyle & Afro Cuban and mainstream to AIYE #11: Call and Response. In his own words,

“It’s no secret that I love the funky, African music of the past.  It’s an endless source of inspiration and in that spirit, I submit these selections. They are dominated by one band, It’s no secret that I love the funky, African music of the past.

It’s an endless source of inspiration and in that spirit, I submit these selections. They are dominated by one band, Orchestre Poly-Ritmo de Cotonou. The simple fact is that the band is amazing. They capture many moods, their scope is vast, and their musical concepts are fresh and highly relevant. If you’ve yet to hear them, now is the time.”

Stream and download Chico Mann’s  AIYE #11 below! And big up to Underdog for the incredible cover art!

TRACKLIST:
1. Another Man’s Thing - Joe King Kologbo & His Black Sound (Nigeria)
2. Acid Rock - The Funkees (Nigeria)
3. Se We Non Nan - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
4. Kenimania - Mono Mono (Nigeria)
5. Otachikpopo - Bongos Ikwue & The Groovies (Nigeria)
6. Mi Ve Wa Se - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
7. Malin Kpon O - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
8. Finger Toe - Tabukah X (Nigeria)
9. More Bread to the People - The Action 13 (Nigeria)
10. Na Mi Do Gbé Hué Nu - Honoré Avolonto (Benin)
11. Dancing Time - The Funkees (Nigeria)
12. Agboju Logun - Shina Williams & His African Percussionists (Nigeria)
13. Mi Ni Non Kpo - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
14. Houe DJein Nada - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
15. Vimado Wingnan - El Rego Et Ses Commandos (Benin)
16. Ma Dou Sou Nou Mia - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin)
17. Noude Ma Gnin Tche De Me - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou  (Benin)

Previously on Africa In Your Earbuds: DJ UNDERDOG, DJ OBAH, SABINE, BROTHA ONACI, DJ AQBT, JUST A BAND, STIMULUS, QOOL DJ MARV, SINKANE, CHIEF BOIMA.

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Pop-Up Amayo (Antibalas)

June 30, 2011 1 Comment

New Yawkers may have noticed a bunch of brightly painted pianos sitting pretty on street corners and parks around town (like little ladies of the night?). These are all part of non-profit Sing for Hope‘s Pop Up Pianos project in which 88 pianos (coinciding with the number of keys), each decorated by a designer or artist, are put out for passers-by to play for two weeks, after which they’re donated to schools. Go to St. Nicholas Park in Harlem to check out the above piano which uses sacred Ndebele-inspired designs from South Africa. If you find yourself at the right time in the right place (ahem, July 1, 6pm, see above for directions) you’ll be treated to a free concert by Antibalas frontman Amayo. Afterparty at The Shrine.

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Audio: Antibalas’s “Rat Race”

June 13, 2011 Leave a comment

Antibalas is without a doubt one of the coolest bands on the planet. Actually, I hesitate to even call them a band, it’s like a monastic order of funk, a brotherhood of afrobeat. If you’ve seen the smash hit FELA! on Broadway then you’re already aware of their brilliance. The band arranged and performed all of the music in the show, and were without a doubt a huge part of the reason it became such a critical success. Of course the call of Broadway couldn’t keep the band away from the recording studio for too long.

Antibalas has just released a 12-inch single that features the songs “Se Chifló,” which showcases the links between afro-cuban music and afrobeat (afrocubeat?), and a ridiculously impressive rearrangement of Bob Marley’s “Rat Race.” I feel blasphemous just saying this, but I think Antibalas got Bob on this one. Antibalas’s version is a frantic cyclone of drums and horns that will force even the most soulless of drones to dance his way out of the daily grind. Enjoy!

Visit antibalas.com to cop this exciting 12 inch.

Rat Race by Antibalas

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DC: Chico Mann Live at the W Hotel 4.23 + More Tour Dates

April 20, 2011 Leave a comment

Chico Mann, alter ego of Marcos Garcia – guitarist for afrobeat band Antibalas – will perform his own (self-described) style afrobeat freestyle during his upcoming tour, starting in DC at the W Hotel (full schedule after the jump). Analog Drift, his sophomore release on Wax Poetics showcases this original sound, influenced by a wide range including his family’s Cuban roots, the afrobeat of Nigeria, and the electronic beats circulating dance floors today.

TOUR:

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Anitbalas’ Afrobeat Alchemy at the Kimmel

August 3, 2010 1 Comment

Alchemy is an ancient art that concerns itself with, among other things, the transformation of base metals into gold. Popular recipes included varying proportions of silver, copper, tin, and other substances; not surprisingly these failed to produce authentic nuggets.

Nowhere in the alchemist’s recipe book does one find bari sax (or other necessary brass), snaking bass lines, congas, shakere, funk guitars, and endurance reaching near Samuel L. Jackson levels. All of these were in ample supply when the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra played the Kimmel Center’s Perelman theatre on Thursday.  Follow me after the jump for the full review.

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