London Afrobeat Collective - 16 Toneladas, Valencia, 21/2/2024

  by Philamonjaro

published: 4 / 5 / 2024

This London-based octet crowded the stage as they promptly took over the room with their flavour of Afropop dance music. The intro drone of horns built anticipation, and an intricate guitar ostinato played through as the drums built up to an abrupt break. Then quickly the polyrhythmic funk groove took over. The first song ‘Freedom set the tone. As they proclaimed,“Freedom! Don’t take away my rights!” we knew what we were in for. London Afrobeat Collective took us on a ten song journey. Together, the musicians and the fans pulsated to the rhythm from the first downbeat to the final bow. Not until the fourth song, ‘Take Me to the Sea’, did everyone have a chance to catch their breath with its slower, jazz groove. They played body and soul. Transcendent. At the front and centre of the stage, lead vocalist Juanita Euka glowed an aura of bliss. She was absolutely mesmerising as she sang, danced and rallied the crowd. Lockstep to the rhythm, Euka was all in. Wielding his baritone sax, Klibens Michelet rollicked about further energizing the stage. Combined with Andy Watts, the two had a formable horn section. Watts' trumpet lines had hints of Hugh Masekela. At the centr eof these beats were Giuliano Osella on kit drums and Richie Sweet on the percussions. Together with Luigi Casanova on electric bass, Alex Farrell and Alexis Szyjanowicz on guitars, the ensemble was a tight unit. But what was so impressive was how each of these performers intuitively riffed off of each other as dynamics shifted, solos were played and layered rhythms changed. They all doubled on back-up vocals, further adding to a sound beyond eight mortals. The highlight of the show just might have been ‘Stop Talking’ as the crowd instinctively sang in unison. “Bla, bla, bla, bla-bla, stop talking!” fists in air. The all-original song set composed of material from their 2029 ‘Humans’ recording. While the majority, songs were from their February 2024 released ‘Esego’ CD. This music is such a stew of African, jazz, soul, pop, traditional, funk, rock, and harmony. At its centre, it eludes the constraints of any one specific category. The guitarists even played straight up rock riffs against that indefinable African rhythm guitar sound. A cross-pollinated flavor that keeps one curious. The closing number and final kick was the song ‘Power to the Women’. The chorus’ decree was emphasised with staccato horn lines. A really tasty, acid-jazz style horn solo was played against the phrenetic rhythms, and proved absolutely breathtaking. Lyrically it's futile to separate Afrobeat music and human rights. The two are woven together at its core. And this collective unequivocally delivered both. Set List: Freedom - Esengo Tolembi - Humans Walk Alone - Humans Take Me to the Sea - Esengo Stop Talking - Humans El Ritmo de Londres - Esengo Topesa Esengo Na Motema - Esengo From Kinshasa to Sona Bata - Esengo My Way - Esengo Power to the Women - Humans Phottos by Philamonjaro www.philamonjaro.com

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