To see a much better video than mine, go to http://www.radarredux.com!
For those who don’t know, Fela Kuti was Nigerian musician and composer, a human rights activist, and the ‘pioneer’ of Afrobeat music. To read more about Fela Kuti, click here. You are probably wondering why there are four half nekked women in the video? Typically, a group of his wives would lead the dancing and singing, performing in front of the band.
Lead by musician Tom Boram, the Afrobeat Society has chanelled the spirit of Nigerian Afro-pop legend Fela Kuti for the past five years. Composed of local Baltimore musicians, and comprised of more than twenty band members, the Afrobeats are a true ‘musical phenomenon’ according to Aaron Henkin at WYPR. Instruments include trumpets, trombones, saxaphones, guitars, voice, and a vast array of percussion. The size of the ensemble itself makes for a good party and you can tell they really enjoy each and every performance.
Last night at the H&H was no exception – the crowd was sweaty and wild, full of raucous dancing and clapping. It was one of those nights where you look around at all of the different kind of people – punk rockers, hippies, parents of grown children (a shout out to Tom Smith, my friend Margo’s dad!), different ages, races, sizes and shapes – and you think, ‘ONLY in Baltimore.’
This kind of community is just one of those things that makes me happy I live here.
If you’re interested, the audience recording (audio) of this show will be available at the Beatbots site (free download): http://av.beatbots.com/2008/10/21/baltimore-afrobeat-society-floristree-baltimore-md-october-18-2008/
