Two Afrobeat bands based in the United States have new recordings. The Afromotive, based in Asheville (North Carolina), in the East Coast, is led by Ivorian singer and percussionist Kevin Meyame. The band uses electric guitar and vintage-sounding electric organ and piano, along with dual saxophones, trumpet, bass, a drummer and two percussionists, to produce a vigorous musical jam inspired by the sounds of the late Fela Kuti.
After performing throughout West Africa and France, Kevin Meyame moved to Asheville in 2004 to perform as lead dancer with Ballet Warraba. He joined bassist Ryan Reardon and founded a musical collaboration that is The Afromotive, which grew to a 10-piece band. On Scare Tactics, The Afromotive takes the raw energy of their live performance into the studio. The trancelike beats and lengthy pieces on the debut album Scare Tactics will please Afrobeat enthusiasts.
Aphrodesia is a veteran Afrobeat band from the San Francisco Bay area. What differentiates them from other U.S.-based bands is that the group is led by two women vocalists who combine the traditional Nigerian Afrobeat style with instruments and melodies and instruments from other parts of Africa and the globe. Singer Lara Maykovich plays Zimbabwean mbira on one track and there is also monkey chant from Indonesia and an assortment of world percussion.
The fiery album Lagos By Bus was inspired by a bus trip the band made through several African countries (read American Afrobeat Musicians Aphrodesia Go to Afrobeat Birthplace by Bus).
Buy Scare Tactics and Lagos By Bus.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
