Security

As one of the best Fela tribute bands around, Antibals makes one wonder why to pick up their records, when the Man's work is still widley available. With SECURITY, the band beings to move out from under Fela's shadow and find a true voice of their own. Produced by Tortoise's John McEntire, the group begins to stray from mimicry of the 70's Afro-Beat master and explore their own sound to great effect. While the longer tracks like FILLIBUSTER X and SANTUARY still hue tightly to the Fela sound (especially vocally) shorter tracks like the opening BEATEN METAL, I.C.E. and the closing AGE strive for more expansive sounds closer to jazz. No doubt all of these tracks cook in front of an audience, but they still need to take that one last leap to find their own personality and become a special band.

A very funky, hip album with an authentic retro groove and attitude, feels like it came out in the 70's. However, while retaining authenticity, the band made many improvements over the original Afrobeat sound, and I know I am committing a sacrilege by saying this, but I'll say it anyway. I am not a fan of Fela Kuti's vocal mannerisms, which get on my nerves, and I always thought that the strength of Afrobeat is in the instrumental music - the interplay between the horns, rhythm guitar and layers of percussion. Most of the album is instrumental, and both the playing and singing are much better than on the Kuti records, in my opinion. While the soloists (organ, sax, trombone, trumpet) clearly have the chops of jazz players, they don't dive fully into jazz, but remain just on that narrow edge between jazz and pop, much in the same way as Santana toyed with fusion without jumping fully into it. They are not shy about their polical views either - you get a pretty clear clear picture whom they will NOT vote for in the next presidential election. This is a band who knows how to take the best from Afrobeat, mix it up with Latin music, reggae and funk, throw in a pinch of jazz and rock, and come up with a hot, spicy, organic and totally enjoyable sound that makes you want to tap your feet and nod your head... if not to get up and shake your booty.

I would skip this one. Government magic is pretty good, so is their latest with money mango . this one... blech.