When we at the AfrobeatProject Association edited Republicafrobeat Vol.1 in 2003, whoever would have imagined that we would one day be releasing Vol 3. Over the last six years however, afrobeat has extended its influence throughout the world and is proving to be more alive and kicking than ever.
Afrobeat forges ahead, projecting that particular idiosyncrasy of its own cultural identity and showing a characteristic musical style going hand in hand with political, pan-African, antiwar and anti-colonialist debate. Afrobeat knows no frontiers and its powerful influence has reached countries such as Germany, Holland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Israel, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, and Spain, where the scene is growing stronger and stronger and forever bearing fruit. We only have to look at the fledgling Afro Soul Toasting All Stars or Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, not forgetting Gecko Turner, the now-non-existent Couscous Party, Radio Malanga, Makala o Javi P3z, and the remixes of Sr Lobo & Watch TV along with Dj Floro & Ale Acosta.
Republicafrobeat Vol 3 continues compiling the interpretations that afrobeat keeps delivering to us today. The vision of this volume is indeed a western one. To a certain degree it may seem a little estranged from the afrobeat patterns of duration and lyrical content that we are used to, being more open to new musical styles such as Kokolo or Vanguardia Sonora, who combine afrobeat with latin rhythms or by the inclusion of the remixes Made in Spain. Furthermore, it incorporates work that women such as Sandra Izadore or Sofi Hellborg are doing around the genre.
Republicafrobeat Vol 3 aims to delve into the talents of those artists who are currently getting closer to the style, to declare that afrobeat is alive and to claim that Fela Kuti is still very much both an artist and a protesting contemporary figure.
Republicafrobeat Vol 3 is AfrobeatProject Association’s latest venture and is being released jointly with Cáñamo Records, who also edit the magazine of the same name about cannabis culture and its relationship with music in all its shapes and sizes. Distributed by Nuevos Medios.
Once again - For Ever Lives Afrobeat!
+ info:
www.djfloro.net,
www.myspace.com/djfloro
www.myspace.com/republicafrobeat
www.canamo.net
www.myspace.com/laespabila
You can buy this record from here:
www.etnomusic.com
