Four continents connect fluidly on an album nonetheless firmly Afrocentric, named after Johannesburg\u2019s archive and arts initiative Keleketla!, with whom Coldcut \u2013 granddaddies of exploratory hip hop, founders of Ninja Tune \u2013 planned to produce a benefit album for charity In Place of War. Things seem to have gotten out of hand, in the best way possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first few seconds of the record\u2019s first track, the sturdy and commanding \u201cFuture Toyi Toyi\u201d, unmistakably announce the involvement of the recently lamented drummer Tony Allen, Afrobeat\u2019s rhythmic architect. Indeed, the fierce, sinuous, brass-heavy Nigerian style is palpably present throughout. Allen\u2019s contributions \u2013 and those of Dele Sosimi, also a Fela confederate in his day \u2013 were recorded in London, following the original Soweto sessions with a diverse assembly of South African artists. Among them are guitarist Sibusile Xaba (flagbearer for Zulu malombo music), percussionist Thabang Tabane, bassist Gally Ngoveni, singer Nono Nkoane, and outspoken rappers Yugen Blakrok and Soundz of the South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Nigerian connection makes the record a trans-African affair, but then the London sessions also roped in local talent like saxophonists Shabaka Hutchings, Ed \u2018Tenderlonious\u2019 Cawthorne, and Tamar Osborn (of Sons of Kemet, 22archestra, and Collocutor fame, respectively) \u2013 representatives of London\u2019s goldmine of great jazz and beyond, the scene centered around the arts incubator Total Refreshment Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Europe came North America. The essentially Afrobeat \u201cFreedom Groove\u201d, featuring Brooklyn\u2019s Antibalas, transitions into mighty American soul-funk at points, and carries the potent words of venerable L.A. poets of protest, Watts Prophets. Asia\u2019s in the mix as well. The Indonesian province of West Papua is having its own BLM moment right now, and on \u201cPapua Merdeka\u201d, the Lani Singers (Benny and Maria Wenda) express their plight in lovely song and stern words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Largely loud, proud, and uncompromising, the album does have its gentler passages, like the celestial instrumental \u201cSwift Gathering\u201d, a moving conversation between Osborn\u2019s brawny baritone sax and the strings and piano of fellow Londoner Eska Mtungwaz. But even there, or on the syrupy pop number \u201c5 & 1\u201d, it\u2019s simply the album\u2019s consistent theme of solidarity, of resistance through connection, more subtly expressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n