Chicago Afrobeat Project

(A) Move To Silent Unrest [Weltmusik]

RELEASE: 14.11.2008

LABEL: Chicago Afrobeat Project

VERTRIEB: Groove Attack

Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre’s tempting sounds continue resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat. Rather than become caricatures of the genre, Chicago Afrobeat Project slips a reverent nod to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different from any other band on the afrobeat scene today.

On “(A) Move To Silent Unrest”, proficient soloists lead the band on uncharted musical journeys while the music’s inherent orchestrated twists take listeners on a musical trip from the Windy City to Lagos with a stop in Havana along the way. Echoes of hip hop and Chicago house music found in the group’s debut self-titled album (2005) can also be heard in the new album on tracks such as “Superstar Pt. 7” and “Carcass”. On the latin-influenced “Chupacabra", Chicago Afrobeat Project demonstrate what afrobeat might sound like if recorded in Cuba. Rounding out the album’s highlights, special guest appearances by vocalist Ugochi on the controversial “Media Man” shows the group’s agility to dip into r&b, while jazz guitar great Bobby Broom’s guest appearance on the heavy-hitting “Cloister” adds both warmth and plenty of chops to the tune.

Chicago Afrobeat Project was nominated ‘Best African Artist’ in the Chicago Music Awards (CMA) in 2004 and 2005, as well as for the CMA’s ‘Award of Honor for Contribution to World Beat Music’ in 2006. Chicago Afrobeat Project features many notable Chicago guest musicians such as Howard Levy of Bela Fleck fame, Fareed Haque of Garaj Mahal, seven-time Grammy-winner Paul Wertico, Bobby Broom, Jeff Parker of Tortoise, and more.

Tracklisting
01 «Bscg2»
02 «Superstar Pt.7»
03 «Media Man»
04 «Cloister»
05 «Fix And Release»
06 «Chupacabra»
07 «Carcass»

(Quelle: Groove Attack, 31.10.2008)