Album Club, March 2018: The Shaolin Afronauts - 'Flight of the Ancients'
The Album Club choice for March comes courtesy of Richie (martian sunrise) with The Shaolin Afronauts - 'Flight of the Ancients'. As always please listen to the album in its entirety before you comment and/or vote.
In recent years I have taken a real shine to the current crop of modern bands that are making modern funk, soul and (especially) Afrobeat. A lot of it unashamedly draws on their influences of the pioneers of the genres, but with modern twists. Many of the bands also show a willingness to take bits and pieces from other influences and melt it into some really great records.
In picking this album, I did think about a classic rock and roll album, or some obscure 70s hard rock album, or even a seminal album from one of the ‘outlying’ genres of rock that I really enjoy, but the chances are that many of you would have either heard it already, not been too interested or just found it too out there…
Sooo… here is the first album by an Adelaide band called the Shaolin Afronauts.
One for the fans of Afrobeat, afro-jazz, jazz-funk – whatever you want to call it. As someone that claims to “not like jazz”, this was the album that sent me in all sorts of directions when it came out and really got me to explore more African music, more jazz and also introduced me to a lot of new funk and soul bands.
Sadly, the original LP goes for ££££, so I never managed to pick up a copy...
04-03-2018, 11:19
Sand Dancin Donkey Walker
Richie, great choice of music there.
I fact I enjoyed it so much I just bought a copy.
Great sound and playing, and as you noted a lot of early funk influences there too.
Very much enjoyed it. I'll be giving it a 9. (I do find it hard to give 10's out)
05-03-2018, 09:41
martian sunrise
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sophistry
Absolutely great album - fantastic choice!
Sadly, the original LP goes for ££££, so I never managed to pick up a copy...
I seem to remember sending my copy back as it was a pringle.
06-03-2018, 01:54
Ian7633
This is the first time I've heard this album and I have to say I really like it. I think it's the nod to those 70s soul artists such as Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes that appeals to me. It's got that certain something you only get when a group of accomplished musicians are really enjoying their music as they play it. 9/10 for me and a great choice.
15-03-2018, 09:21
tubehunter
Yes, a great introduction to a band I hadn’t heard of before.
I can hear Weather Report, Spyro Gyra etc.. who I really loved back in the 70’s 80’s
And with the Afro influences brilliant.
Thanks for this, Id also never heard of them before but this is right up my alley so to speak.
Great Choice!
04-04-2018, 11:21
high.spirits
I love Blood Sweat and Tears but could not get into this. I need some lyrics.
Some tracks were a bit too jazzy for me. Thanks for the suggestion, I had never heard of them before.
