AGMP & the Barbican presents
MULATU ASTATKE & THE HELIOCENTRICS
THE BARBICAN, Silk Street, London
Wednesday 29 September 2010
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The Heliocentrics – the London-based collective centered around drummer Malcolm Catto, bassist Jake Ferguson and producer Mike Burnham – first performed with legendary Ethiopian Jazz composer/arranger/pianist/vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke in early 2008. The pairing went so well – Astatke celebrated the band as the Heliocentrics performed the classic songs Astatke recorded for the Ethiopian Amha label in the late 60s and early 70s – that a collaborative recording session became a must. Thus began the landmark sessions in the Heliocentrics’ cavernous studio that resulted in Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics: Inspiration Information 3.
Last year’s concert at Koko with Gilles Peterson sold out so AGMP are bringing back this one off collaboration for one last time in the elegant surroundings of London’s the Barbican Centre.
“Essential Listening” - Gilles Peterson
“Hypnotic Afro-funk. Unstoppable!” New York Times
“We became fans of the Beninese group. They share a sound, so funky, so soulful voodoo! “ - Nick McCarty, guitarist of Franz Ferdinand
The Kings of Benin Afro-Funk & Highlife come to London for an exclusive concert at Koko.
Recent compilations on Soundway Records & Analog Africa have highlighted the musical genius of Benin’s hardest working Funk Orchestra.
Arguably West Africa’s best kept secret, Benin’s finest band spent the 1970s mixing funk and Afrobeat with the bewitching rhythms of their native Voudoun tradition. Their output, both in quantity and quality, was astonishing - and live they’re still producing revelatory psychedelic grooves. The cultural and spiritual riches of traditional Beninese music had an immense impact on the sound of Benin’s modern music. Benin is the birthplace of Vodun and two Vodun rhythms dominate the music of Orchestre Poly Rythmo: Sato, an amazing, energetic rhythm performed using an immense vertical drum, and Sakpata, a rhythm dedicated to the divinity who protects people from smallpox.
Both rhythms are represented here mixed in with Funk, Soul, Crazy organ sounds and Psychedelic guitar riffs.
Analog Africa released an Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou CD in the UK end of last year, entitled ‘The Vodoun Effect (Funk & Sato from Benin’s Obscure Labels, 1973 - 1975)’.
ORCHESTRE POLY RYTHMO DE COTONOU LINE UP>
Melome Clement - Sax+band leader+vocal (original member)
Vincent Ahehehinnou - Lead vocals (original member)
Cosme Anago - Lead vocal (original member)
Augustin Pierre Loko - Sax/Percussions (original member)
Maximus Ajanohoun - Guitar Rythmique (original member)
Gustave Bentho – Bass (original member)
Philibert Agbahoungba -Guitar
Celestin Honfo - Percussions
Degbo Moise Loko - Claviers (original 70’s band member)
Vital Assaba - Trumpet (ex Gangbe brass band)
Gbetognon Bonaventure Didolanvi - Drums
Dash Arts & Roundhouse present
Lyrical Alliance Featuring Talib Kweli
Premiere: Roundhouse, 16th October 2010, Doors 7pm Tickets £22.50 in advance
Lyrical Alliance is collaboration between leading hip hop artists from the Arab world alongside the cream of European hip hop with featured artists from the UK and US headline act Talib Kweli.
Lyrical Alliance Artists:
DJ MK (UK)
Rabah Donquishoot (Algeria)
Shadia Mansour (Palestine)
Rayess Bek (Lebanon)
Samm (Jordan)
Tamer Nafar (Palestine)
VJ Jana Saleh (Lebanon)
Hosted by UK hip hop lynchpin DJ MK (KISS FM, Roots Manuva, Dizzee Rascal), Lyrical Alliance is a ground-breaking, international urban music event that transcends language and cultural barriers to celebrate the common pillars of hip hop all over the world: the beat and the word.
Taking the legendary Mu’Allaqat poems - written at a time when the Arab region was the cultural and intellectual centre of the world – as a starting point, the artists will dig deep into the roots of their art form, developing new work together in a series of live sessions and workshops throughout the year that will reach a climax with a series of major concerts in Europe in Autumn 2010.
Topping the bill will be major US star Talib Kweli. Ever since emerging alongside Mos Def as a member of Black Star in the late 90s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music that matters – hard hitting and able simultaneously to educate and entertain, his socially conscious brand of rap counts Jay-Z and 50 Cent amongst its biggest fans. His 6th album Ear Drum was released in May this year on his own label Blacksmith Music.
Talib Kweli will be joined by members of the Lyrical Alliance posse for a momentous finale to this righteous and inspirational hip hop collaboration.
Date: Sat 16th October 2010
Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH
Doors: 7pm
Tickets: £22.50 in advance
Booking 08444 828008 http://www.roundhouse.org.uk
(Part of Dash Arts Arabic series)
Supported by Roundhouse & PRS Foundation