bongohead: Afrobeat

Showing posts with label Afrobeat. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Shokazoba Live at Bishop's!!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Henry Cole: Drumming For The Spirits of Mama Africa, The Big Apple, and Borinquen

The cover of Henry Cole's new album

Hello dear Bongohead readers. Today on this crisp, sunny winter’s day I’d like to tell you about a hot young artist I rediscovered recently through my friend, film maker Omar Torres-Kortright. I now realize the guy was bubbling just under my consciousness because I happened to have seen him perform with both Miguel Zenón and David Sánchez in past years at various gigs, but then I lost track of his work and so when I heard through Omar that this musician had a new album out, that it had something to do with afrobeat (one of my favorite types of music), and that I would get to be a part of a music and culture festival that this guy was also a part of, well, I got really excited. I was like – is this the same guy I saw drum with those Puerto Rican jazz cats? Honestly, I didn’t even know the man was Boricua himself, not that it’s a big deal, but just to tell you how little I knew. If you stick with me little, I’ll tell you why this dude is worth knowing, and maybe it will inspire you to check out his work like I did…

The gentleman I’m talking about is Henry Cole (b. 1979, raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico), and he’s a young New York-based drummer, percussionist and keyboard player with a lot of talent and great ideas. He’s best known for his work with the Grammy-nominated Miguel Zenón Quartet (having recorded on he albums Awake, Esta Plena, and Alma Adentro), Grammy winner David Sánchez (Cultural Survival), and the all-star quartet “90 Miles” featuring Sánchez, Stefon Harris and Christian Scott. He also made waves with the Edward Simon Trio, where Cole’s innovative and powerful drumming takes center stage, but since 2011, he’s been the center of something different, immersed in a larger orchestra, his Afro-Beat Collective.

But let’s back track a bit before we get into his latest solo joint.

Having studied classical percussion at San Juan’s Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico and both Boston’s Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, as well as club work in San Juan (“I was playing rock, salsa, jazz, electronic music, all in the same week. That’s college right there…” says the drummer) and varied gigs in La Gran Manzana, it’s easy to see that Cole’s formal and street musical education has been top notch. In Puerto Rico, Cole worked not only within but also beyond the world of improvised music, with artists such as conga master Giovanni Hidalgo, flutist Dave Valentin, trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez, pianist Danilo Pérez, Branford Marsalis, Luis Marin, William Cepeda’s Afro-Rican Jazz, salsa artists La PVC, and the Latino rock band Vivanativa. In New York and on stages around the world, he’s played with a diverse roster of people, further broadening his horizons: Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Drew Gress, the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Big Band, Ray Barretto, Orlando “Puntilla” Rios, Papo Vazquez, Perico Sambeat, Paquito D’Rivera, David “Fathead” Newman, Dave Samuels, the contemporary plena group Viento de Agua. Cole’s extensive CV also lists his work with dancer and choreographer Noemí Segarra, which includes the evening-length collaborative piece “De Rumbo De Rumba,” premiered at the Hostos Center for Arts & Culture in early April 2011. Our busy drummer also performs with Cuban-born, LA-based pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, who records for Quincy Jones’ Qwest label. And as if that weren’t enough, as mentioned before, Cole has recorded influential work with Miguel Zenón and David Sánchez — entailing appearances at the Village Vanguard and other world-renowned jazz venues — and he can be heard on the album Personalities by the Fabian Almazan Trio, as well as Christian X Variations by Soren Moller with Dick Oatts and Kirin Winds, plus El Alquimista by Pete Rodríguez (not the boogaloo artist), and Rocket Science for Dummies by the electro/neo-soul group Astronauts of Antiquity.

OK, so that was the resume. Ahora mis amigos, let’s get into his new album. This CD leads you on a journey of poetry, in sound and word. As you might have guessed by now, Henry’s a guy who consistently thinks outside the box, evidenced not only by his diverse past experiences, but also by his current activities. Right now as leader of the Afro-Beat Collective, he’s engaged in an exciting fusion of improvised music of Black American Origin (which I’ll call jazz for want of a better word) and funk with the folklore of his homeland, plus spoken word vocals, and of course a healthy dose of afrobeat, a well-known and currently re-popularized dance music (with a conscience) of Nigerian origin that came to prominence in the 1970s and was pioneered by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Tony Allen, Orlando Julius, Ebo Taylor, and others. There are many contemporary groups with the term afrobeat (however you want to spell it) in the band name or bandied about as a description for their sound, and some tend towards the more dance oriented, vocal, and repetitive or commercial end of things, while others are more heavily invested in the jazz end, and so the intricate interplay between heavy percussion and prominent brass seems to leap to the fore (for instance Nomo and Zongo Junction). Henry Cole and the Afro-Beat Collective’s debut album Roots Before Branches tends towards the more improv/jazz end of things, which makes sense, but as mentioned, there is also the Spanish language aspect of the spoken word component (courtesy of Hérmes Ayala) and the use of indigenous Afro-Puerto Rican elements as well. Though it fits in perfectly with the afrobeat sound through a sensitive integration on the part of the arrangements, the undeniable presence of the “barril de bomba” drum and the “panderos de plena” (hand held single-sided skin frame drums), as well as Cole’s adaptation of these rhythms for his drum kit, mark the work as coming from a distinctively Boricuan perspective. Hence the title, “Roots Before Branches”!

In the realm of the ‘branches’ referred to in the title, there is an intriguing use of electronics and dubby sound effects, as well as old-school sounding synths, electric piano and other keyboards that makes me think of vintage funky fusion of the 70s as well as what Fela and his Kalakuta Republic crew was cooking up each night at the Shrine. One thing though that distinguishes Cole’s sound from classic Nigerian afrobeat: there is not really the vocal melodic song structure of Fela Kuti or some of the other Afro-Funk bands of yesterday or today, which is actually refreshing. In a way, I choose to consider Henry’s recording to be another chapter in the Latino-flavored side of afrobeat, carrying on in the trail blazed by Antibalas and Kokolo, two of my all time favorite bands for dancing and thinking. Henry’s now on my radar as being the third corner of this Latino-Afrobeat trinity, and it feels good having him in charge of the angle that completes the trinity. On the CD, Cole employs his friends Miguel Zenón and David Sánchez to great effect, and the collective is augmented by quite a cast: Sean Wayland, Adam Rogers, John Ellis, Soren Moller, Egui Santiago, Rey de Jesús, Roy Guzmán, Bryant Huffman, Billy Carrión Jr., Juan José “Cheito” Quiñones, Willy Rodríguez, Alberto “Beto” Torrens, Luis Rosa “El Chupa”, Obanilu Allende, Adam Rogers, a string trio, and the poet Mara Pastor.

“I imagine Fela’s band with Wayne Shorter or Lee Morgan playing the solos”
—Henry Cole

All in Roots Before Branches is a very satisfying recording, and you can see why Modern Drummer magazine had Cole in an article titled “The Future of Drumming” (January 2006). In that piece, Henry was cited as an outstanding young player to watch by illustrious fellow drummers Alex Acuña, John Riley and Antonio Sánchez. Well, it’s been 6 more years since then, and if Roots Before Branches is any indication, Alex Acuña, John Riley and Antonio Sánchez were right on the money, compay. I am really looking forward to witnessing ‘the future of drumming’ live in person, as I will be participating in a concert with Henry and his Collective in Chicago (see my earlier post). I know Señor Cole’s gonna be drumming for the collective triangulated spirits of Mama Africa, The Big Apple, and Borinquen. If you can make it, I know you won’t be disappointed. If you can’t, well then please make sure you catch him in New York or on a stage near you in the future — and if you can’t find him there, ask your local talent buyers and booking agents ¿por que? You can check out more about him on his web site (http://www.henrycolemusic.com) and get a signed copy of his CD there too, or on Amazon.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Live Afrobeat with Zozo & Shokazoba

Hey hey y'all - be sure to come on down to Northampton's Elevens Bar this Saturday July 24th and check out 2 great live afrobeat/afrofunk orchestras!! Zozo Afrobeat are my friends from NYC (check 'em out on Country of Guns, the bonus CD to the compilation Andujar & I put together for Rough Guide). Speaking of which, I'll be selling those very same CDs, plus Andujar will be DJ-ing (with live percussion) and local photographer and video artist Andrew Greto of Bell & Howl will be providing the visuals with his wild projection show!!

More info at http://peaceandrhythm.blogspot.com/ andwww.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116279111746371&index=1

The Rough Guide To Afrobeat Revolution compiled by DJ Andujar (b. rule) and myself

Composer, musician, vocalist Kaleta, leader of Zozo Afrobeat (played with Fela, Femi, and King Sunny Ade)

Zozo Afrobeat

Shokazoba

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Afrobeat Revolution Is Here!

A bit more than a Rough Guide, if you ask us -- actually a great little set that capable shows the range of Afrobeat and and funk in a new generation - Dusty Groove

DJ Andujar and I put our hearts and souls into this one, folks. With a lot of help from my friend DJ Andujar, a man of immense musical knowledge and a willingness to share, I worked on this for over a year, and it shows; and of course we couldn't have done it without all the great bands, musicians, vocalists, and visual artists involved - plus, we couldn't have put together such an awesome package if World Music Network and Phil, Brad, and the rest of their crew hadn't believed in us and had the vision to put out two double albums of afrobeat! In fact, it was arguably the audacious idea to make a double CD of contemporary afrobeat for a label that only ever did single CD compilations that inspired Phil, the head of the label, to make it a two part series, and start his new policy of including a bonus disc from one featured artist, a unique 2 for 1 approach that has everybody talking about how cool the new packaging and marketing of Rough Guides is today! It's a real value, and quite popular with the customers; one you don't see every day and a welcome value in this economic climate. The second bonus disc concept continued with my Rough Guide to Gypsy Music and Merengue, as well as many other new R.G. titles worth checking out.

Every one of the artists on Afrobeat Revolution, including the Fela cover artist Lemi, thought this was a great project and wanted to be a part of it. There are other afrobeat and afrofunk comps out there, and some of the early ones served as my inspiration, to be sure. But there is nothing like Afrobeat Revolution! From the songs to the packaging, we are really proud of this (can't you tell?).

I was glad that graphic magician Lemi was cool enough to let me mess about with his art and assemble the covers for the CDs - thank you Lemi, it was a real thrill to work with you, you are a genius and you carry Fela's vision in your heart and hand. I am only sorry we couldn't fit more bands on here, but as it is, there are so many hours of afrobeat to enjoy on here, you will dance till you drop, and then you will start to think, as you lie there panting! This one is the next step after Afrobeat Revival - it takes you beyond into new territory, where the confines of what Tony Allen and Fela Kuti and their crew from the Kalakuta Republic initially set up, are burst wide open and take you beyond.

The bonus compact disc by Kaleta & his band, Zozo Afrobeat, is called "Country of Guns", previously only available on vinyl LP as an import from Germany, and it is incredible - Kaleta is a VERY MULTI-TALENTED soul, and it has been great getting to know him and his fascinating history. He played with everyone from King Sunny Ade to Fela! Check him out on the web or better yet, catch him live. Andujar & I wrote the notes and you get the full story so pick this up and read about Kaleta's amazing journey from Benin to Lagos to New York, plus the stories of all the other bands too. Brothers and sisters, let us be your guide to the funkiest music from the Motherland and the Great Diaspora. Like Fela said, music is the weapon, a weapon for peace, love, and overstanding!
- DJ Bongohead

We welcome a new CD compilation, "Afrobeat Revolution", which will hit the streets worldwide on Tuesday, October 13th. London-based world music specialists Rough Guides (a subsidiary of World Music Network) will release it. This is the follow-up to "Afrobeat Revival", released earlier this year. Compiled by DJs Bongohead and Andujar, both located in Western Massachusetts, USA, these CDs survey the contemporary Afrobeat scene, including several of the Revival groups and Afrika 70 offshoots, as well as the artists pushing the attitude in new directions. All of this under the stylistic and spiritual influence of the Afrobeat creators, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Master Drummer Tony Allen (who is featured on four tracks on these discs).

"Afrobeat Revival", released in the Spring on the Rough Guides imprint, documented the new wave of international Afrobeat, including former Fela associates Tony Allen, Dele Sosimi and Akoya's Kaleta, along with Fela's youngest son, Seun Kuti. In tribute to Fela, several other groups sprouted around the world. The likes of Antibalas, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Femm Nameless, Boston's Superpowers and Mr Something Something (featuring Ikwunga) each contribute a song. Another of these contemporary groups, Kokolo, contribute an entire bonus album! This double CD set has received positive reviews in several publications, such as Wire and Songlines.

"Without Tony Allen there would be no Afrobeat"-that was Fela Kuti's own view of the dance groove he gave to the world. Allen's superbly subtle funk provided the music's vital heartbeat, and a track by the great drummer opens this exploration of Fela's legacy. There are other Lagos connections via Fela's youngest son Seun Kuti, and London based Dele Sosimi, formerly of Fela's Egypt 80. But Afrobeat is in the ascendent in North America, and groups from Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and New York bring their own urban accents to this hypnotic, yet confrontational style. New slants rather than radical departures, but some, such as the Latino inflections of Brooklyn's horn-driven Antibalas, are really persuasive. And Afrobeat's political edgeis kept razor sharp by the clumsily named yet impressive Canadian sextet Mr Something Something And Ikwunga The Afrobeat Poet.

The above review by Julian Cowley, appeared in Wire

"Afrobeat Revolution" reports on the new Afrobeat soldiers and the multitude of directions the sound has developed. This one has artists from all over: Canada's Souljazz Orchestra and Afrodizz, North Carolina's Afromotive, Albino! from the west coast, as well as Fanga, Ruth Tafebe, house music producer Dennis Ferrer, Nigerian percussion master Lekan Babalola (remixed here by Mark de Clive-Lowe), free jazzer Ted Sirota and Afrobeat co-creator Tony Allen. Kaleta & Zozo Afrobeat offer us a bonus album, their crucial "Country of Guns".

Both of these discs are compiled by the Andujar & Bongohead team, with collaborative notes. The cover art on both CDs feature the work of Ghariokwu Lemi (former Fela cover artist). These CDs are available worldwide through such outlets as Amazon, Dusty Groove, Target, Barnes & Noble, Newbury Comics, and more. Ask your local outlet to enlighten the masses by carrying these compilations. You may also order these and other Rough Guides titles through World Music Network.

The groups on these albums deliver the Afrobeat rebel sound and message to us through this music of now. Consider the gifts and accept the knowledge.

Thanks. - DJ Andujar

Here are some images to get our juices flowing - some of the musicians in the two compilations, and some cover art by Lemi. Enjoy!