It seems these days more and more afrobeat inspired bands are popping up all over the globe. It truly is a beautiful thing. Check out this remixed track from UK-based outfit Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra.
Analog Africa has unearthed yet another treasure chest of African funky goodness. This time around they draw from Angola, the Southwestern African nation, with Angola Soundtrack. Featuring several hypnotic styles such as Semba, Merengue, Kazukuta, and Rebita, these are songs you most likely have never heard, although due to the styles they amalgamate, they have a familiar feel. The percussion backdrop, the entrancing guitars, the call and response vocals, will all be familiar to any listener with an interest in post-colonial African musical styles. Highlife, afro-funk, and Mande swing all take elements from the musical styles of the Americas and combine them with homegrown percussion and vocal styles. The popular music of 1970's Angola is no different, but these songs definitely have their own style unique to the cultural factors present in Angola as opposed to Nigeria, Ghana, or Mali.
One of the nastiest afrobeat bands on the planet, Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble, is hitting the stage at Southpaw in BK next Friday night. $10 is a small price to pay to hear this afrobeat juggernaut send earthshaking afro-grooves through the dancefloor at one of Brooklyn's premier music venues. They're joined on the bill by dub outfit The Top Shotta and soul ensemble The Corner Club featuring members of Antibalas, Akoya Afrobeat and Ikebe Shakedown. If you want to dance, show up at Southpaw next Friday night with ten dollars in your pocket.
If you need a soundtrack for your dance party, hit play on this bangin set from DJ Chorizo Funk.
If you've been to one of the legendary Sofrito Tropical Discotheque Parties in either London, Brooklyn, Greece, or wherever else, you don't need me to tell you, they know how to make people dance. If you haven't, check out this track from their new comp due out January 24th of 2011 on Strut Records.
Luisa Maita proved why she's one of the hottest acts on the international music scene last Friday night at Lula Lounge in Toronto. Her stage presence, passion, and beautiful voice were all on full display in a night packed with Brazilian music from start to finish featuring Roda de Samba, Baque de Bamba, and Rino.
Luisa kicked the night off with an early performance around 8:30. Performing for the first time in Canada, she came across as being truly honored such a large audience was in attendance. Her performance was full of passion, and the crowd responded to her energy enthusiastically. 
Next up on the bill was Rode de Samba, a Toronto based Samba ensemble. As their set went on, the audience began to congregate in front of the stage singing along to their songs and dancing. The six-piece ensemble injected a large dose of energy into the night after Luisa Maita's mellow performance that set the tone for the rest of the night.
Baque de Bamba, a maracatu ensemble led by Aline Morales, followed Rode de Samba, and picked up where they left off. The thundering drums of the legion of percussionists filled the room with an incredible energy that unleashed a frenzy on the dancefloor. Morales voice contrasted beautifully with the percussion backdrop as she sang in Portuguese. I was totally blown away by the power and energy of Baque de Bamba, and I definitely hope to see them again sometime soon.
Afrocubism is the project of which lovers of international music have only dreamt. One such dreamer, British producer Nick Gold, originally conceived of the project in 1996--pairing the best musicians from Mali with the best musicians from Cuba, two countries that have been speaking each other's musical languages for generations. The project failed to materialize the first time around; the Malian contingent couldn't make it to Havana, so Gold improvised and came up with Buena Vista Social Club. Not a bad substitute, but Gold persisted. He reconvened the all-star cast of musicians, this time in Spain, and "the music just poured out" according to Gold, recording 17 songs in 5 days. Musicians featured on the record include Eliades Ochoa, Djelimady Tounkara, Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Kasse Mady Diabaté, Lassana Diabaté, and Eliades' Grupo Patria.
If you haven't heard about Luisa Maita by now, it's about time you have. She's the Brazilian songstress taking the international music scene by storm, and her North American Tour kicks off tomorrow night at SOB's in New York. Her debut internationally released album, Lero Lero, came out earlier this year on Cumbancha Records and has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Her second release on Cumbancha, Luisa Remixed, is due out November 9th.
Hard Proof, the self-titled debut album from the Austin, Texas based afrobeat ensemble is a groovtastically funky collection of jams that display a range of dynamics and themes. 
Bouncing Cats is the inspiring story of one man's attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Will.I.Am, and K'Naan. Stay tuned for screenings in your community. Get tickets for the DC screening here.Bouncing Cats Trailer from Bouncing Cats on Vimeo.
GMYL by Superhuman Happiness from Tatiana McCabe on Vimeo.
Don't you love it when one of your favorite bands makes a video for one of their best songs, and the video makes you love the song even more? I do. Check out this new one for Superhuman Happiness' jam GMYL by Tatiana McCabe.
Dig this new Remix EP from the Brazilian lesbian Baile Funk group, Sapabonde. I guarantee it's something you don't hear every day.
Zongo Junction, one of the dopest bands on the BK afrobeat scene, are heading into the studio to record their first album, but before they can lay down their first track, they need your help. They're looking to raise $5,000 by November 12th to finance the project. Go to their kickstarter page to kick in a few dollars and help them get further down their path. Depending on how much you give, you can get a physical copy of the album when it's finished, a Zongo t-shirt, or even a live performance by the band at your next private party. Give what you can to help some young artists get their music out into the world.
If you haven't done so already, check out my piece on Ebo Taylor's new album, Love and Death, for The Huffington Post.
I'd like to take a moment to honor the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti as today is his birthday. Enjoy this dope ass video, and try to listen to at least one Fela song all the way through today (that is if you're not going to a Felabration to dance like Fela would have liked).
