The News:  The new Antibalas record, Where The Gods Are At Peace , will be out September 15th!  Catch them on the 14th at Gramercy Theatre.

Antibalas has been an essential NYC band since they came together around the turn of the century.  In February of 2016, in a monthly series of concerts, they were unveiling new material, cross-pollinating with some guests like Angelique Kidjo. and basically opening up the well-oiled, high-powered machine that is their twelve piece band.

In the  video above, Martin Perna and frontman Amayo discuss the residency and the polyrhythmic ecstasy that is Afrobeat but also compare it, somewhat surprisingly, to being in a military unit.  That analogy speaks to the discipline that the form demands of its players.

Martin and Amayo were generous with their time at a practice space in Williamsburg the afternoon before one of their Brooklyn Bowl shows so I’m happy to offer the bonus vid below.  Enjoy the fellas speaking about James Brown influencing Fela Kuti or the other way around as well as the origins of Antibalas, the connections with Mark Ronson, Gabriel Roth, The Dap-Kings, and the first Daptone Records’ studios on 340 Grand Street (also in Williamsburg).

Go to #8 Talib Kweli

Antibalas will be the house band and twenty artists will perform the songs of Aretha Franklin on Monday, March 6th at Carnegie Hall in the 14th annual tribute concert to benefit music education programs.  Here’s the lineup: Melissa Etheridge, Kenny Loggins, Ann Wilson, Todd Rundgren, Sarah Dash, Glen Hansard, Rhiannon Giddens, Taj Mahal with his daughter Deva Mahal, Living Colour, Allen Stone, Bettye Lavette, Ceelo Green, Naomi Shelton, G. Love, Richard Thompson, Ruthie Foster, Ron Pope, Don Bryant, Sam Moore, and Ledisi.

Tickets are available.

As is the tradition, a live rehearsal show will happen at City Winery the night before.  The concert on Sunday night is sold out but you can add your name to a wait list.

The concert has produced some memorable moments in the past.  David Byrne and Talking Heads, Paul Simon, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Simon and Garfunkel, The Who, REM, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell have all been feted and a handful of the honorees have turned up at the shows.  As Michael Dorf recalled while I was chatting with the Knitting Factory and City Winery founder last week, Elton John and Bernie Taupin enjoyed their songs while sitting together in a box overlooking the stage but did not perform. Bruce Springsteen not only made a cameo but did two songs for an encore after his music was  presented in 2007.  David Byrne showed his characteristic flair by appearing in a white tux leading a marching band down the center aisle before taking the stage to put a punctuation mark on the 2015 show.  Last year’s concert for David Bowie expanded to two nights, with a second show at Radio City Music Hall, following the artist’s death in January.  It was an emotional celebration of his legacy that gave artists and fans alike an opportunity to gather and share the loss while immersed in the music that endures.  

Will Aretha put in an appearance?  Who can tell!  In any case, Carnegie Hall is the place to be next Monday and these music education programs will all benefit: Grammy in the Schools, Young Audiences New York, Church Street School of Music and Art, The Orchestra Now, The Center for Arts Education, Little Kids Rock, D’Addario Foundation, Sonic Arts For All, and Midori & Friends.

Antibalas Talks Afrobeat & Brooklyn Bowl Residency

Antibalas has been an essential NYC band since they came together around the turn of the century.  This year, in a monthly series of concerts, they are unveiling new material, cross-pollinating with some guests like Angelique Kidjo. and basically opening up the well-oiled, high-powered machine that is their twelve piece band.

In the main (on NY1 today) video (above), Martin Perna and frontman Amayo discuss the residency and the polyrhythmic ecstasy that is Afrobeat but also compare it, somewhat surprisingly, to being in a military unit.  That analogy speaks to the discipline that the form demands of its players.

Martin and Amayo were generous with their time at a practice space in Williamsburg the afternoon before their Brooklyn Bowl show on Thursday so I’m happy to offer a bonus vid.  Enjoy the fellas speaking about James Brown influencing Fela Kuti or the other way around as well as the origins of Antibalas, the connections with Mark Ronson, Gabriel Roth, The Dap-Kings, and the first Daptone Records’ studios on 340 Grand Street (also in Williamsburg).