Antibalas – Who is This America? (Ropeadope)

With the profile of Antibalas higher than ever thanks to the band providing the score for the award-winning musical Fela!, its former label takes the opportunity to reissue one of its seminal works. Originally released in 2004 and recorded when Dap-Kings leader Bosco Mann was still a member, Who is This America? finds the New York 14-piece confident enough in its socially conscious Afrobeat to weave other styles into its fabric, from the dub effects of “Indictment” to the Latin funk that entwines itself to the African grooves. That said, the band’s vision stays true to that of Afrobeat godfather Fela Kuti, with the same sense of urgent grooves, political fire and carefully drawn out melodies. Tunes like “Elephant,” “Big Man” and “Who is This America Dem Speak of Today?” swoop, dive and propel in a swirl of saxophones, percussion and analog keyboards (kudos to leader Martin Perna, singer Amayo and his cohort Dylan Fusillo and ivory tickler Victor Axelrod, respectively). The songs keep your feet and hips moving, allowing the melodies and messages to sink in slowly but surely. The new edition adds the irresistibly funky “Money Talks” to the original program. Well worth rediscovering.

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