Fela Kuti (born Oct. 15, 1938) planted the root of what became Afrobeat music. Today, many are carrying on his work including his sons Femi and Seun, former bandmates including Tony Allen, and countless worldwide afrobeat bands from the Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra to Brazil’s Bixiga 70. We go from the roots to the branches on this week’s show.
Listen to past episodes of Spin The Globe free at Mixcloud.
Afrobeat drumming pioneer Tony Allen celebrated a birthday July 20, and STG follows that up with a survey of the contemporary Afrobeat scene, from Nigeria to Europe to the USA to some corners of the world where you might not expect to find Afrobeat groups.
Listen to past episodes of Spin The Globe free at Mixcloud.
Visionary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen has had an amazing career, from his days with Fela Kuti to his current collaborations with all kinds of artists, from British rappers to Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho. This show features a range of his work both past and present to celebrate his 20 July birthday. Plus some other music — mostly new releases and concert previews — at the end of the show.
Listen to past episodes of Spin The Globe free at Mixcloud.
I hardly need an excuse to break out the Afrobeat, and this week two concerts in Cascadia reinforce my Afrobeat inclinations. Lagos Roots Afrobeat Ensemble play at Rhythm & Rye in Olympia Oct. 25, and Chicago Afrobeat Project play at Seattle’s Nectar Lounge Oct. 30. We’ll hear from them, and from other great Afrobeat players. If you missed the recent KAOS fall membership drive, you can still become a KAOS member or renew your membership, call 360-867-6894 or visit kaosradio.org/join/
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This week’s show starts with a celebration of the lives and music of Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti and Qawwali king Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, whose birthdays are this week. Without them, the face of “world music” would be far different. Though one is known for his vocal prowess in singing devotional Sufi music and the other for feisty anti-establishment poly-rhythmic funk-jazz, both are huge figures. Listen in to see how they sound side by side. Plus new releases from other parts of the planet in the second hour of the show.
The touring Broadway show Fela! about the Nigerian originator of Afrobeat hits Seattle next week. We celebrate with songs from the many Afrobeat bands that have since emerged worldwide, from NYC’s Antibalas to Portugal’s Cacique’97 to Fela’s own offspring who are keeping the form vibrant. Plus an interview with Jordan McLean, one of the musical directors of FELA! and a founding member of Antibalas. (Congrats to the STG listeners who won tickets to opening night during this show!)
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We counted down the Top 10 recent world music albums, playing a tune from each until reaching the glorious pinnacle that is #1. With a brief interruption in the countdown for an interview with Portland-based Afrobeat band Jujuba, who play tonight at the Olympia Ballroom alongside Cascadia ’10.
Reminder: I love to hear from listeners when I’m on the air, and when I’m not, I’d love to hear from you via the website or Facebook page, where you can also get your free Daily Spin: http://facebook.com/spintheglobe
The third plan for today’s show finally stuck: A phone interview with Miles Arntzen of NYC-based Afrobeat group EMEFE, a brief tribute to the late Bob Brozman, and a pile of new global music assembled for your listening pleasure.
Reminder: I love to hear from listeners when I’m on the air, and when I’m not, I’d love to hear from you via the website or Facebook page, where you can also get your free Daily Spin: http://facebook.com/spintheglobe
A local confluence of Afrobeat shows by Antibalas and Cascadia ’10 made for a great jumping off point to explore the state of Afrobeat in America. We heard Afrobeat bands from NYC, DC, Texas, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, and beyond. Also a couple global interpretations of Brubeck’s Take Five, and some concert previews.
Fela Kuti (born Oct. 15, 1938) planted the root of what became Afrobeat music. Today, many are carrying on his work including his sons Femi and Seun, former bandmates including Tony Allen, and countless worldwide afrobeat bands from the Warsaw Afrobeat Orchestra to Brazil’s Bixiga 70. We go from the roots to the branches on this week’s show.
Hear a song from each of the Top 10 new world music albums. In hour 2, more global sounds + concert previews + listener requests.
Afrobeat drumming pioneer Tony Allen celebrated a birthday July 20, and STG follows that up with a survey of the contemporary Afrobeat scene, from Nigeria to Europe to the USA to some corners of the world where you might not expect to find Afrobeat groups.
