Afrobeat Down profile picture

Afrobeat Down

Creativity should be the yardstick of greatness

About Me

AfroBeat Down: L.A.’s Premier Afrobeat Ensemble, delivers driving, raw, un-cut African Funk straight to your Nyash; making your body move and shake to the rhythms of Nigeria circa 1970. ABD’s 10-15 members strong are inspired and dedicated to maintaining the Afrobeat musical tradition; the legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. ABD’s message is fused in Power packed, Political, Polyrhythmic Consciousness focused on bringing people together to fight Oppression and enjoy a peaceful, light filled life. Aloha.

------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------- "Thanks for keeping the Afrobeat burning on the West Coast!" - Martin Perna , Antibalas

"They got the Afrobeat thang hooked up!" - Sandra Izsadore , Fela’s "Africa ’70""Fela Kuti fanatics should not miss the dance infused jams of Afrobeat Down..." - Contra Costa Times ."For five years, L.A.’s Afrobeat Down has dedicated itself to celebrating the life of Fela Kuti.... Not content to be just a cover band, the group has written its own songs as well. ABD’s first album, 2005’s Lamp of the Body, is heavy on the sax and rhythm section, but the only cover is a live version of "Gentleman." Afrobeat Down’s Web site (www.afrobeatdown.com) reveals a growing network of American Fela disciples, from collectives like Antibalas to the singer Wunmi." - Tamara Palmer , SF WEEKLY ."Southern California’s Afrobeat Down is known as its area’s premier Afrobeat combo, one with an unabashed desire to re-create the hard-driving funky sound of its early-’70s inspirations." - San Francisco Bay Guardian ...PERFORMING "LET’S START" AT THE EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Band Website: afrobeatdown.com
Band Members:
MATTHEW SARGIS
- Guitar, Bass, Vocals
JUJU NAMJAI
- Vocals, Shekere
CRAIG TEIGEN
- Drums, Block, Shekere
DAVID SEMIEN
- Guitar, Bass
GREG MALONE
- Bass
JOHN 'FINGAZ' CALDWELL
- Keys, Vocals
DAVE ARROLLADO
- Baritone Sax, Flute
CHARMIAN CALLON
- Flute
MIKE BATTAGLIA
- Trumpet
RAMI RAHEB
- Doumbek, Percussion
TOM BURBANK
- Block, Percussion
SIMON THOMSEN
- Congas, Percussion
BRIAN AKIO MARTINEZ
- Trombone, Bass
Influences: Tony Allen, Miles Davis, Daktaris, Antibalas.....but especially FELA KUTI !!!!!!!
Sounds Like: a bootie shakin' Afro-beat funk assault
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Vote for Afrobeat Down!

Lightning in a Bottle Festival CONTEST :ALOHA everyone.We have entered our Band in a contest to play on the main stage at the LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE festival this May 23rd - 26th in Santa Barbara, CA.P...
Posted by Afrobeat Down on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:57:00 PST

TOM BURBANK debut album on Planet Mu Records!

Our faithful percussion player Tom Burbank has his debut album "Famous First Words" coming out on U.K. label Planet Mu on October 3, 2006 in the U.S. It is a great down-tempo electronic album and fea...
Posted by Afrobeat Down on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 04:51:00 PST

Listen to Radio Afrodicia on KPFK!

Our Aloha for all the support from Nnamdi @ Radio Afrodicia KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles. Saturdays 2pm - 4pm.  You can also listen online at www.KPFK.org...
Posted by Afrobeat Down on Tue, 31 Jan 2006 02:33:00 PST

Lamp Of The Body CD available at CD Baby

OUR latest CD, "Lamp of the body" Available Internationally @ CDBABY5 songs. 47 minutes of music. a live FELA cover.  Also at the iTUNES MUSIC STORE. ...
Posted by Afrobeat Down on Tue, 31 Jan 2006 02:29:00 PST