The Riverfront Times: “Chicago Afrobeat Project”

This article originally appeared in the “Riverfront Times.”

The musical legacy left by Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti after his 1997 death is so dense and fruitful that his style continues to germinate around the world. The mere existence of the Chicago Afrobeat Project is proof of this. The group came together in 2002, and since then has embraced a two-fold aim: to make people dance (which isn’t hard, given infectious polyrhythms and blistering horn interplay) and to spread the word about Fela and the music he created. But while the CAbP certainly pays tribute to Afrobeat’s founding father, it isn’t a tribute act: The band writes its own songs based around funky keyboards, charging horn lines and talking drums, thus keeping the music vibrant and vital.

CAbP Kicks off Chicago Summerdance

Summerdance is coming up this week on Thursday, June 14th–opening night.  We’re playing in Grant Park off Michigan avenue near Adams.  Our 2nd CD is done and we’re gearing up for the release in a few months.  The artwork has been provided by Lemi, the artist who did tons of Fela album covers.  In other news, our tour bus is back in the Chicago metropolitan area awaiting some final adjustments before it can once again entertain us and our friends with the spectacle of its sheer size and numerous odd features.

There are also a variety of additional festival dates scheduled for this summer including Dogstock, Jazz in the Park in Milwaukee, Forecastle Festival,  Celebrate Clark Street in Chicago, Art Street in Green Bay, and the High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy California in July–2 days, Saturday and Sunday, July 7th and 8th.  We’ll be making stops on the way out and back in the western states, so stay tuned.   End the war!!!  See you around…..

Back to St. Louis, then House of Blues

This Friday brings us to Lucas School House in Saint Louis for an evening show, then Saturday at the Broadway Oyster Bar for an afternoon show (3pm).  That night, we’re performing at “Forty Niner Bye Bye” in Springfield, Illiinois.  Then a late added show–House of Blues on Sunday–sets us opening up once again for Steel Pulse, international mainstays in Reggae.  Thanks to all our supporters for keeping us moving!  Too bad the Bears lost a fair fight in Miami, but yo, in 2027, when we’re in our fifties, they’ll come back for what they left behind!!  They’ll be passing scoring touchdown bombs and we’ll be passing kidney stones!  PEACE!, WE OUT…