Antibalas March 30, 2007

9pm, $15 , 18+

Antibalas is the spirit of Afrobeat reincarnated as a hard-hitting collective of musicians in New York City. The group carries on the soul of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, founder of the unique Afrobeat sound, which unites highlife, jazz, funk, and traditional African elements with unabashed political messages. Antibalas-which means “anti-bullets” or “bullet-proof”-shoots out monstrous horns and bass layered over polyrhythmic beats coupled with furious lyrics inciting insurrection in English, Yoruba, and Spanish. With fifteen band members, Antibalas--which is run as a collective--cannot easily be described in a traditional biography. The group’s players come from such diverse professional, cultural, and personal backgrounds that only a spray of bullets can shed light on the foundation of this musical insurrection. This union of Latinos, whites, African Americans, Africans, and Asian Americans is based in Brooklyn, NYC.

Official Website: http://www.space538.org/