Around Christmas, here at Rhythm & Booze CDs seem to fall through the floorboards only to be discovered a month or so after the silly season is done and dusted.
One such single that got a little neglected under the heavy workload (of the day job) was the stunning single, Rise by one of current kings (and son of the legendary Fela Kuti) of Afro-beat Suen Kuti and his band Egypt 80, having rediscovered the single I thought I ought to write a few words in retrospective appraisal.
For those of you who’ve never heard the gloriously funky sounds of Suen Kuti & Egypt this serves as a stunning introduction to the man and the band, imagine if you will, infectious African percussion colliding with political (Marley like) near-reggae, funky horns and a biting yet irristibly contagious vocal that’ll have you on your feet dancing in defiance whilst shaking your fist in unsion to the tight grooves.
Rise is backed by a couple of remixes including an intoxicating remake by US DJ and Rapper Swizz Beatz, who strips the track down to glitchy beats and vocals, enhancing the impact of the delicious backing vocal harmonies further.
If you need further encouragement or convincing to checkout Suen Kuti & Egypt 80, checkout the band’s brilliant and exhilirating performance on last years Later With Jools Holland show to capture the band in full flow or trust me and take a punt on one of the fnkiest and stirring bands on the planet.
Rhythm & Booze Rating 10
www.myspace.com/seunkuti