African Soul Rebels: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 + Donso
13 - 21 Apr 2011
Seun Kuti is an unbelievable force in Nigerian Music – having inherited his father Fela Kuti’s band, he is now the crowned king of Afrobeat. Having not been eclipsed by his father , who was the biggest 20th century star of African music, for some, Seun now outshines him. His music, dance, politics and funky Yoruba Afrobeat never let tradition down and Seun plays with such dynamism, precision and energy that everyone lucky enough to have seen his father’s show live, is now left in awe of his son Seun.
Fela’s archetypal sound was a big band fusion of traditional rhythms and music fused with the boldest brass that brought funk, jazz and a rich sense of black urban America. He inspired a generation of musicians, and like Bob Marley was a heady mix of social consciousness, struggle with the post colonial powers. He invented Afrobeat – a dance music where tracks last the length of albums and sets lasted the entire night. His character, arfocentricism and the sheer power and majesty of his music has inspired a recent successful Broadway musical now premiering in London this year at our own National Theatre.
Afrobeat is more than just music. It is a combination of African politics, history, liberation, all framed by an amazing spectacle of rhythm and dance. Since the 1970s it has been the most powerful groove on the Planet. Find out a bit more by watching the PBS video documentary "Black President" .
Seun Live In Dakar
Clip From New Album
SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80’s new album FROM AFRICA WITH FURY: RISE is out on Because Music 4th APRIL 2011
Donso
Donso means hunter in the Mailian Bambara language. They are four brilliant musicians who have skilfully brought together a Franco / Malian fusion of traditional Malian music and electronica. It’s beautiful music and as unique as it get as you might expect from the man behind the Electro of Krazy Baldhead on the influential Ed Banger records with Malian vocalist Gedeon Papa Diarra, Guimba Kouyate on Guitars / Djele N'Goni and Thomas Guillaume on percussion / Donso N'Goni. Listen to their new album Konya.
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