Before you can say ‘Fela,’ Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, a band of 20 odd multicultural musicians from Melbourne, have asserted themselves as something a little different from the Afro-beat mould. A minute or so into the opener, the nine and a half minute ‘How Long It Go Take’, the hip hop begins, and it’s a recipe that continues unabated through this inventive, up tempo debut album.
The problem with Afro-beat has long been lack of development, just how you can successfully build upon the Nigerian innovator and instigator Fela Kuti’s original recipe has for thirty odd years proven a mystery to many. And there have been many wreckages along the way. Public Opinion Afro Orchestra really seem to have managed this difficult feat, merging hip-hop with turntablism, highlighting the upbeat party, dance aspect to the music, without forgoing the political edge. On a trip to the heartland in Africa they collaborated with South African and Nigerian MCs like poet MC Tumi, Modenine and Terry Tha Rapman, who in true Afro-beat style aren’t afraid to be provocative and agitate.
Their songs are long and funky, with stabbing horns and elongated grooves; many of the tunes clock in at around nine minutes or over. Whilst there is more than just a nod to Fela, there are some really interesting arrangements, such as the album highlight ‘Mumbo Jumbo,’ with these incredible lackadasical horns that feel like they’re morphing through your ears as you listen. As a debut it’s an incredible feat, taking the spirit of Fela and prodding it carefully into the new century.
Bob Baker Fish
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