Antibalas

Antibalas is a Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band led by saxophonist Martin Perna. They are a large band comprised of a horn section, multiple percussionists, and about a dozen musicians, all of whom are top-notch performers. They fully embrace the legacy of Afrobeat, popularized by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti and his bands in the '70s, having had the chance to play with various musicians who were part of his bands in the past, including his son Femi Kuti. Their long time singer before he left in late 2021, Amayo, grew up in Lagos, adding another connection. The band hits all the main points of Afrobeat with West African tones and rhythms, call and response choruses, its fusion with the distinctly American funk and jazz traditions, then goes on to include Cuban percussion. They take their time to fully explore their songs through extended instrumental passages that build on the melodic themes, add new ones or presents variations.