Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » London Afrobeat Collective: Humans

London Afrobeat Collective: Humans

By Bruce Lindsay
November 8, 2019
View read count

Hard-driving, politically-charged, rhythmic, irresistibly-danceable music; what else could be expected from a band that mixes influences from

Fela Kuti

saxophone
1938 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Fela Kuti, Parliament/Funkadelic,

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Zappa, and Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards into one exciting and uplifting musical pot? Such expectations are high, but the London Afrobeat Collective meets them with ease.

There have been a few personnel changes since Food Chain (Self Produced, 2015). Percussionist Zak Cohen has left without being replaced, Giuliano Osella is now on drums and, most noticeably, Juanita Euka has replaced Funke Adeleke on vocals, so the band has pared down slightly to a nine-piece line-up. Euka's voice has a lower range than Adekele's, but it's just as powerful, with a rough edge that gives added force to the anger to be found in many of the lyrics. Euka's vocal power is matched by that of the instrumentalists; this is a mighty band of musicians (and video evidence—see YouTube, below— suggests that the band is a superb live act as well).

The London Afrobeat Collective formed in 2009, so this release celebrates its tenth anniversary. Following the pattern of Food Chain, Humans combines politically forthright, socially aware, lyrics with powerful wall-of-sound music. All of the songs are credited as whole-band compositions and, for the most part, focus on ensemble performances—highlighted particularly on "Prime Resources," "Stop Talking" and "Tolembi" where the horns fly in unison above the punchy rhythm section. There are some strong solos, too. Taken together, this three-pronged attack of voice, ensemble and solos makes Humans one of the best of 2019's releases.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Tolembi; Power To The Women; Prime Resources; Tokomona; Stop Talking; They Come & They Go; All You Need Is Air; Walk Alone.

Personnel

London Afrobeat Collective

band / ensemble / orchestra

Juanita Euka: vocals; Alex Farrell: guitar; Alex Szyjanowicz: guitar; Andy Watts: trumpet; Edmund Swinburn: tenor saxophone; Klibens Michelet: baritone saxophone; John Mathews: bass guitar; Lee Crips: congas; Giuliano Osella: drums.

Album information

Title: Humans | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

This Quiet Room
< Previous

Blue Note releases from November 196...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.