Post Tagged with: "fela"

I had the honor of reviewing the debut 7-inch release of LA based afro-latin funk band, Jungle Fire, on the Beat Swap Meet blog.  Check it out here.

For whatever reason, the Fela! broadway musical was moved from April 2012 to December 2011 in Los Angeles, and we are not complaining!  I watched this in a HD simulcast from London a few months back at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center, and I was damn near in tears from the first note.  This is an amazing story based in Fela’s “Shrine,” a performance space where his live evening shows would last until the morning.  Sometimes 7 or 8 hours of afrobeat heat.  This production is, without a doubt, my favorite musical of all time.  No questions asked.  The music, the choreography, and the story will reach anyone who connects with afrobeat music.  Fela is running in Los Angeles through January 21st, so you have plenty of time to see it.  Do not sleep on this!  Get your tickets at www.centertheatregroup.org

Making a “best of” year-end list is always difficult for me.  The main reason is because I can’t remember what came out in January!  Stay tuned for the last Forward Listening of 2011, which will feature my absolute favorite cuts of the past 365.  While I haven’t nearly completed the list, here are a couple of sure bets. Much much more to come…

LDFD – “Outtacontrol”
Mark de Clive-Lowe – “Koko & Lee Roe”
Velella Velella – “BBQ Claus I & II”
Agnes Obel – “Close Watch” (December 2010)
Bing Ji Ling – “Dreaming”
Robin Hannibal – “Transit”
Bombino – “Tar Hani (My Love)”
Dengue Fever – “Uku”
Kraak & Smaak – “Wasted With a Smile”
Amerigo Gazaway / Fela Soul – “Breakadawn”
Thundercat – “Boat Cruise”