New Single to Benefit AIDS Research

Red Hot is back at it again.  The first single featuring ?uestlove, Angelique Kidjo, tUnE-yArDs, and Akua Naru from their forthcoming album, (RED) Hot + Fela, out this fall on Knitting Factory Records, is out today via Itunes and Soundcloud.  All proceeds from the album go towards AIDS research via (RED) and The Red Hot Organization.  Dig the track below, buy it for a good cause, and keep an ear out for the full album later this year.

Help Akoya Put Out a New LP!

 
Of all the afrobeat I've ever heard, live or recorded, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble ranks as some of the very best (and coming from me, that means a lot, if I do say so myself).  They're currently raising money via kickstarter for their new album, which if they raise the requisite funds, they'll press on vinyl!!!  I can't put into words how excited I am at the prospect of owning a new Akoya record.  These guys are some of the best musicians in the world carrying the afrobeat flag today.  Not only do they call themselves an afrobeat band, they're the real thing.  They play the music the way it's intended to be played.  If I had enough money, I would give them all the money for which they're asking and fund the record myself.  Unfortunately, I have very little money and have no prospect of making any in my near future.  Don't feel bad for me, just give Akoya some support.  Help make the world a funkier place.

The Nazarenes to Drop Meditation Next Week

The Nazarenes are a reggae band out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Their new album, Meditation, set to be released April 24, 2012 on I Grade Records, is a spiritual journey into the beliefs of two Rastafarian brothers born and raised in the Rasta holyland.  Noah and Medhane Tewolde make up the Nazarenes, and they tell the story of how reggae connects disparate worlds, from the Caribbean to Africa to Europe (where the brothers now live) and beyond.  If you're a hardcore reggae fan, this album is a must-have.  Preview the title track below, and cop the album when it drops next week.

Quilombo do Futuro, the new album from Maga Bo out May 22, 2012 on Post World Industries, is one of the most inventive, unique sounding albums I've heard in a while.  Dig the video for No Balanço da Canoa below, and if you dig the sound, cop the mp3 at your leisure. 

KonKoma to Release Debut Album on Soundway

KonKoma, a hot new afro-funk band based in London, are set to release their debut album June 25, 2012 on Soundway Records.  If you happen to live across the pond and are free June 1st, they'll be performing live on a ridiculously nasty bill with Pax Nicholas, The FOKN Bois, and Yaaba Funk at Rich Mix.  To get a taste of what they're all about, dig their teaser video below.

 

Flavour - Tuesday Nights @ Bamboo

Looking for some extra afro-flavour?  If you're in or around the E. Village, check out the new Tuesday Night jam at Bamboo, Flavour.  Live afropop will be performed by Makane Kouyate's Denbaya.  Afrobeat, salsa, tropical disco and other danceable jams will be doled out by dj's Bryant K and No Comprendo in abundance.
 

We Will Never Stop - Music is the Weapon

 
Afrobeat will never stop.  That message is sent loud and clear from Music is a Weapon, an afro-collective out of Stockholm, Sweden.  Dig their video for their latest single, We Will Never Stop.

Elikeh Needs Your Help!

 
Elikeh, an afro-funk ensemble based out of Washington D.C. that fuses Togolese traditional rhythms and melodies with afrobeat, reggae, and rock sounds, is raising money via kickstarter to distribute their next album, Between 2 Worlds, featuring Vieux Farka Toure.  I reviewed Elikeh's last album, Adje! Adje! and was totally blown away by the ingenuity of their sound.  I'm excited to hear what these guys have in store for their next release.  Donate what you can and help these artists' spread their message to the world.

Fela Live in Detroit

Just when you thought the world had heard all that Fela had to offer...  Live in Detroit, the first new Fela material to be released since 1992, will be made available to the world on May 8, 2012 via Knitting Factory Records.  The album features four classic Egypt 80 cuts: 1. Just Like That, 2. Confusion Break Bones, 3. Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, and 4. Beasts of No Nation.  Any afrobeat head fiending for "new" Fela sounds will waste no time copping this live album.  Preview a track below, pre-order it from KFR here.
 

Jungle Fire

Need a litle fire in your life?  Check out this slammin two-song EP from L.A. based Afro-funk ensemble Jungle Fire.  Be careful, you might get burned...

New Afrolicious EP-Pleasuretime

With a name like Afrolicious, it's gotta be good. Dig this track off the Bay Area collective's new EP Pleasuretime, out now on ESL Records.

Free Track off of Ebo Taylor's New Album

Ebo Taylor just keeps on keeping on. The African musical legend is set to release his new album, Appia Kwa Bridge, April 16, 2012 on Strut Records. In the meantime, dig this free track to keep you satiated until the album drops later this month.

Ebo Taylor - Yaa Amponsah by Strut

The Black Seeds Return to North America

If you haven't heard of The Black Seeds, it's about time you have. They're one of New Zealand's preeminent musical acts combining a soulful, funky vibe with a reggae sound, and they're about to embark on a North American tour in support of their new album, Dust and Dirt. I had the pleasure of catching them live two summers ago at the Grassroots Festival, while they were touring with John Brown's Body in support of their last album, Solid Ground. If you dig laid back reggae grooves with soulful horn lines, definitely check these guys out when they come your way. Dig their tour dates and the video for their latest single, Pippy Pip, below:

April 05 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater
April 06 – San Diego, CA – Winstons
April 07 – Santa Barbara, CA - Soho
April 08 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
April 10 – Victoria, BC – Club 9one9
April 11 – Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound
April 12 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
April 13 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
April 14 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
April 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
April 17 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways

Afrobeat For Ya Soul Turns 3 + New Afro-Mixtape

Afrobeat for Ya Soul is D.C.'s dopest monthly afro-celebration. Resident beat scientist Underdog the DJ keeps a close watch over the dance party curated by The Lunchbox Theory. The party will have been going strong for 3 years this Thursday night, so to celebrate, Underdog has donated a mix for lovers of booty-shaking music. Dig the mix below, check out the party Thursday night.

Wan Fambul-Benefit Album for Sierra Leone

It's a beautiful thing when music brings people together. It's even more beautiful when that sense of community forms a movement to make a positive difference in the world. Wan Fambul, or One Family, is a benefit album for the people of Sierra Leone afflicted by the civil war that raged there for several years. Artists like Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew, Vieux Farka Toure, and Vusi Mahlasela are all featured on the project spearheaded by Catalyst, a U.S. based non-for-profit dedicated to making the world a more peaceful place. Catalyst released Fambul Tok last year, an award-winning film about the reconciliation process in Sierra Leone. Dig the album here when it drops March 23, 2012. Good music for a good cause--what more could you ask for?

The Return of The Funk Ark

The Funk Ark, D.C.'s finest afro-collective, are set to release their sophomore album, High Noon, April 3, 2012 on ESL Records. If you dug their first album, you're probably as psyched as I am to dig their second funky offering. I had the pleasure of catching them live in BK last year. They're returning to the borough March 12th to rock at Brooklyn Bowl with Turkuaz and Underground Horns. Definitely a show not to be missed. Wet your appetite with a free track until you satiate yourself on the real thing...

Captain Planet Remixes Remixed EP

My musical soul-brother Captain Planet is back at it again with a new EP of remixed remixes courtesy of Bastard Jazz Records. Preview it below and cop one free track from the album at your leisure.

New EP from All Good Funk Alliance

Well, it's about god damn time I posted something, so why not to share the Rhythm and FX EP from The All Good Funk Alliance drops today via Beatport and worldwide March 23, 2012 on Fort Knox Records. If you haven't heard them before, AGFA are some of the funkiest cats around, mixing breakbeats, afrosounds, and all around jams with one purpose in mind, getting asses shaking on dance floors across the globe. Sample the tracks below to get a taste, then cop the EP as soon as humanly possible.

New Track from Analog Players Society

If you love funky soul music as much as I do, you'll love this new track from The Analog Players Society. I recently discovered these days and am totally blown away with their soulful ways. Dig the track here.

Africa in Your Earbuds Vol. 8-DJ Sabine

Dig the latest in the afro-heavy mixtape series from OkayAfrica, Africa in Your Earbuds, courtesy of DJ Sabine.

AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #8: DJ SABINE - 'MZANSI' by okayafrica