“As we touch down in America, we find ourselves immersed in a rich musical tapestry that has evolved over centuries through the African Diaspora. Funk, Blues, and Soul lay the foundation, paving the way for innovative breakbeat, experimental sounds, and even the electrifying live Drum N Bass.”
Like life, music is a vast, interconnected web of styles, perspectives, and approaches. Sometimes the connections are hidden: How many people who listen to James Brown automatically connect the sound of funk to African rhythms and methods of music-making? And how many people who listen to Fela Kuti connect the sound of afrobeat directly to the funky revolution led by Brown?
Sometimes it’s good to be explicit, paying respect and homage to the music that influences us, and this is what Jazz Mafia continues to do in their “Un-Covered” series. On Un-Covered Vol. 5; Nigeria, Jamaica & Beyond, the eclectic Bay Area-based collective kicks things off with a cover of Kuti, flies to Jamaica to skank to the Skatalites, and then completes the journey by bringing it to the U.S. for a freestyle blend of breaks. Nothing like a bunch of brass to light up your spirits.
