Antibalas Security CD

While Brooklyn Afrobeat traditionalists Antibalas certainly aren't mere Fela Kuti imitators, they've always hewed fairly closely to the legendary Nigerian musician's aesthetic blueprint. SECURITY (2007), however, finds the band expanding its musical palette without losing any of its political fire (see the blunt anti-G.O.P. workout "Filibuster X"). Producer John McEntire (Tortoise) handles production duties and adds weight and atmosphere to the band's urgent sound. And, while Antibalas still rely on classic Afrobeat instrumentation, they also throw in some previously untapped left-field synthesizer sounds (see I.C.E.), as well as more complex song structures. All of this would be for naught, though, if the key element of the Antibalas experience weren't still firmly in place; thankfully, the band continues to work that righteous groove, one capable of whipping anyone into a revolutionary frenzy.

Recording information: SOMA Electronic Music Studios, Chicago, IL.

Personnel: Duke Amayo (vocals, congas); Luke OMalley (guitar); John McEntire (hammer dulcimer); Stuart Bogie (tenor saxophone, synthesizer); Martin Perna (baritone saxophone); Jordan McLean (trumpet, flugelhorn); Eric Biondo, Todd M. Simon (trumpet); Aaron Johnson (trombone); Victor Axelrod (celesta, electric piano, Clavinet, organ, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); Chris Vatalaro (drums); Dylan Fusillo (congas, shekere); Nick Movshon (congas).

Audio Mixer: John McEntire.

Rolling Stone (p.80) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The twelve-member-plus collective's fourth album offers jazzy Afro-Latin jams that are intricately assembled and totally rock in spots."
Spin (p.86) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Filibuster 'X' and 'War Hero' channel the fierce individualism of Fela Kuti and Gil Scott-Heron."
Magnet (p.94) - "SECURITY brings new elements to the mix without compromising Antibalas' fundamental power. The propulsive guitar figures, layered drum grooves and wall-flattening horn charts are intact..."
CMJ (p.38) - "The dozen-member eclectic collage of musicians has been genre-proof for a decade, and on SECURITY, they dodge between Afrobeat, bossa nova, funk, jazz and hip-hop."
Down Beat (p.72) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Antibalas has taken the foundation laid by Kuti and done some remodeling....The band's fourth full-length album explores new, less frantic ways to expand beyond the lock step of Afrobeat."
Dirty Linen (p.92) - "[A] percolating mixture of Afrobeat, 70s funk, and Latin vibes....It's lush and the horn harmonies resonate..."
The Beat (Magazine) (p.24) - "It's always been striking to hear this band....Probably the closest release yet to capturing the power of their live shows."