L.A. Weekly: “Chicago Afrobeat Project, Rhythm Roots All-Stars at Temple Bar”

This article originally appeared in the L.A. Weekly.

Describing most world music is like trying to explain the difference between indigo and violet to a blind man. Not so the Chicago Afrobeat Project, who were born out of loft parties in downtown Chicago in 2002. Their unique array of multiple bassists, saxophonists, drummers and assorted dancers (subject to availability) traces roots down to Nigerian Afrobeat firebrand Fela Kuti, Afro-French funk cyclone Max B. and the Nubian joy supreme of Ali Hassan Kuban with relentlessly quantum and upbeat rhythms woven into a vast quilt of jazz-funk-folk history. They mesh tonight with Rhythm Roots All-Stars, a kindred 10-tet whose Sunday jams at Temple Bar have featured Davey Chegwidden, Pancho Tomaselli, Double G, Woody Aplanalp, Aloe Blacc and others since 1999. Prepare yourself for a musical shout second only to Conrad Bain’s in intensity and passion. (David Cotner)

Phillyist: “CAbP brings the funk to Phila”

This article originally appeared in the Phillyist.

We knew we were in for a treat this weekend when we saw three different drum stations crammed on the small stage area of World Cafe Live Upstairs. A pair of conga drums were sandwiched between a snare drum set and a regular drum kit. One by one, the artists from Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) strolled out onto the stage. There were indeed three different percussionists, two saxophone players, an organist, a guitarist, and a five-string bassist.

Yowsa.