Seun Kuti preview

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
House Of Blues, Chicago
Monday, June 30, 2008

Afrobeat is best experienced live. The oft-charismatic frontman surrounded by an assortment of guitarists, percussionists, horn players, and back-up vocalists included in this Nigerian-born music equals a spectacle that must be experienced in person.

One of Afrobeat’s youngest hopefuls, Seun Kuti undoubtedly understands the live element of the music his father Fela Kuti helped pioneer decades ago. Having already lit up dozens of stages across Europe and North America (including Chicago), Seun has quickly established his presence on the road with the help of his father’s final band, Egypt 80. But only this week did his first widely released album hit store shelves.

Despite making touring more of a priority, he and Egypt 80’s self-titled opus is far from an afterthought. Seun brings urgency to each of his politically minded numbers. One of the most potent is the anti-oppression anthem, “Don’t Give That Shit To Me” — a festive but blatant sonic revolt against everyone who has taken advantage of Africa. Like his father, Seun usually sticks with percussion-heavy material geared to uplift the downtrodden and he does it well. But that doesn’t stop him from forgetting about the strife for a moment on the party-centric “Fire Dance” — one of the many tracks that should be even more electric when performed live.

— Max Herman

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly