These days it seems like every city in America has its own Afrobeat combo, if not two or three. We have the Chicago Afrobeat Project, which tomorrow drops a new album, What Goes Up, featuring a guest appearance by the legendary Tony Allen—the drummer who helped create the style in the 1960s as the musical director of bands led by Nigerian agitprop-funk hero Fela Anikulapo Kuti. But once upon a time, Afrobeat was a rare commodity in this country—formed in the late 90s, powerful Brooklyn ensemble Antibalas were the first to popularize it here. Despite all the new competition from younger bands in the U.S. and abroad, they remain largely without peer, even as it’s become less special to be able to hear Afrobeat played live in the States.
Today’s playlist:
