With a globetrotting 20-year career renowned for being a voice for the people across four decades of political and societal upheaval from the late '90s to today, Antibalas celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a stark return to their Williamsburg roots on its latest Daptone Records studio album, Fu Chronicles (Release Date: February 7, 2020). Pre-gentrified Williamsburg serves as the backdrop for Fu Chronicles -- voyaging back to the early days of when Antibalas and revered soul label Daptone Records spawned out of lead singer Duke Amayo's kung fu dojo. A senior master of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts, Duke Amayo along with Antibalas founder/baritone saxophonist Martín Perna guide listeners through an epic journey of where kung fu ingeniously intersects with Afrobeat on Fu Chronicles.
WNYC's "New Sounds" exclusively premieres today Antibalas' latest single from Fu Chronicles the opening track "Amenawon," a song in honor of Amayo's late mother whose middle name was Amenawon (she is depicted on the cover of Fu Chronicles standing as tall as the Statue Of Liberty carrying a baby). With the literal meaning translating to "may the water you will drink, not pass you by," the composition speaks to rain water washing away pollution and the unveiling of government lies. Amayo pays homage to the Yoruba River goddess, Yomoja, whose healing powers can be accessed by invoking her name. Water is further a symbol in kung fu reflecting one's ability to adapt to any situation. To view the premiere, please visit: newsounds.org To manifest the utopian visions of where kung fu meets Afrobeat, one must enter the world of Duke Amayo who rose from his upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria to become a prominent football kicker at Howard University, and ultimately, a kung fu master and Afrobeat superstar. At age 12, Amayo began his kung fu practice while simultaneously witnessing the spiritual leader Fela Kuti perform at his famous nightclubs the Afro-Spot and Afrika Shrine in Lagos. Living in the same neighborhood of the Afro-Spot and sneaking into the clubs to experience the force of nature that was Fela Kuti, a young Amayo was enlightened on his path destined for greatness in America.Fu Chronicles transports listeners to where universal equilibrium and indefinite possibilities unite within a dream world of a child's limitless mind. The transcendent long-form Afrobeat compositions decolonize our psyches through movements traversing with melodies to realign us with a purpose of finding balance in our coexistence. The fiery Antibalas ensemble -- widely renowned as one of America's fiercest live bands -- along with an additional five musicians transform Amayo's opus into hypnotic and invigorating compositions with singular rhythms of resistance.
Over the course of its lauded 20-year career, Antibalas has toured across four continents and produced eight studio albums establishing them as the premier Afrobeat band in the West. In addition to their integral role as the backing band for the Tony Award-Winning Broadway musical "Fela," Antibalas has served as the house band for several star-studded tribute shows at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater paying tribute to the music of Aretha Franklin, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and Billie Holiday, backing dozens including Allen Toussaint, Cee Lo Green, Sharon Jones, Santigold, and Angelique Kidjo. Antibalas members have appeared alongside some of today's biggest stars, such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Lady Antebellum, and many others. In 2012, Antibalas made their late night television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Listen to the single below.
Tuesday, February 11 -- The Siren -- San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, February 12 -- Moe's Alley -- Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, February 13 -- The Regent -- Los Angeles, CA
Friday, February 14 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Saturday, February 15 -- The New Parish -- Oakland, CA
Sunday, February 16 -- The Independent -- San Francisco, CA
Thursday, February 20 -- Neptune Theatre -- Seattle, WA
Friday, February 21 -- Rickshaw Theater -- Vancouver, BC
Saturday, February 22 -- PDX Jazz -- Portland, OR
Sunday, February 23 -- The Olympic -- Boise, ID
Wednesday, February 26 -- Knotty Pine -- Victor ID
Thursday, February 27 -- The Commonwealth Room -- Salt Lake City, UT
Friday, February 28 -- Washington's -- Fort Collins, CO
Thursday, March 19 -- The Sinclair -- Boston, MA
Friday, March 20 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Saturday, March 21 -- Brooklyn Bowl -- Brooklyn, NY
Thursday, March 26 -- Terminal West -- Atlanta, GA
Friday, March 27 -- The Grey Eagle -- Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 28 -- Cat's Cradle -- Carrboro, NC
Friday, April 3 -- Sleeping Village -- Chicago, IL
Saturday, April 4 -- SPACE -- Evanston, IL
Friday, April 10 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Saturday, April 11 -- Lee's Palace -- Toronto, ON
Friday, April 17 -- Theatre of The Living Arts -- Philadelphia, PA
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