The HighLife

Back on the grind!  But it's cool, it's officially springtime!  There a fresh new week ahead, and i'm looking forward to some upward trending weather.  Hopefully the tracks this week do the same, quality-wise.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
We'll ease into this with a song by a Nigerian afrocentric-jazz musician.  The song is an homage to afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti (the title is his full name).  True to the afrobeat sound, the piano groove works you through the entire song while all the other instrument jam out.  And by the time the song is over all you want it to do is keep going.  Kayode Olajide - Olufela


B-Side
If there ever was a song made, as far as i'm concerned, that would warrant the classification of "perfect".  This next song would be it.  This song jump started my interest in all things afrobeat.  The horns are the energy that float over the everlasting groove percolating underneath.  And is it ever percolating.   When listening to this, ignore the horns for a bit, let the keyboard and guitar take you, and then bring it all back together.  You'll be glad, and singing that groove to yourself for the rest of the day.  The song pretty much advises you to be wary of would-be showoffs/posers/power-trippers, and gives examples of where said "power show"(s) could take place.  So, if you're on one, get off the high horse and relax.  Fela Kuti - Power Show


That's it today.  Hope the week goes swell.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

February has been a good month musically.  Random, but still good.  We had the Grammy's at the beginning of the month, with Adele and Chrisette Michelle taking home awards.  Bob Marley's birthday.  Mos Def's delayed album. Our introductions to the very danceable Private, and the uber-soulful Jesse Dee.  Lily Allen and Ryan Leslie releasing new albums. And an onslaught of fat beats in general.  That said, here's a set of pretty much all of February's Jumpoff selections, save one or two here and there.  Enjoy!

Fela Kuti - Question Jam Answer
This song may initially come off as a little off-beat and dissonnant.  It's not, just keep listening and it'll all come together eventually.  The song is about arguments and their futility.  It also alludes to the fact that when two sides don't see eye to eye, there is no saying what it could escalate to.  "Jam" in the song title means 'to crash into'. "Shele" in the chorus means 'to happen'.  So "when Question jam Answer...another thing go shele o".  The "another thing" is left to the imagination.  Fill in the blank with whatever you think 'another thing' could be.  Word to the wise, it's easier just to not quarrel.

Friends of The HighLife, Flavorheard, just released their latest mix of music for "your booty and soul".  Pour out a glass of something smooth, and then prepare yourself to get down. 
Flavorheard Radio Vol. 3

Check out their other mixes and upcoming dates at flavorheard.com and on their myspace.

Sort of like the end of year dispatch.  Here's a playlist of music selections that were featured in January's Jumpoff posts.  Enjoy!

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Nyash
I'll keep this short because there isn't much to know.  I just saw these guys tear it up with The Roots last night, two stages, two bands, at the same time, back and forth, singularly.  I don't have too many adjectives to describe it other than to say it was amazing!  This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, and all that the song says is that you need to move your ass, which is what 'nyash' translates to.  Now that you know, do it.

Tic Tac and Tony Tetuila - Fefe n'efe
This song is the result of a collaboration of two artists from Ghana (Tic Tac) and Nigeria (Tony Tetuila).  Some of the Yoruba lines are sketchy in the grammatical correctness, and i simply can't speak on the Ghanaian aspect.  But the song pretty much is just talking abuot the beauty of a woman, and that's about all that you really need to know.  The rest is dancing.

Fela Kuti - Fogo Fogo



I'd like to be able to one day say that there isn't a Fela Kuti song that i haven't heard.  For a little while i was starting to think that, until i came across this gem of a track.  I've literally listened to this song on repeat for the last two weeks, and i don't think that's going to stop for a good while. From the repeating guitar riff, layered over the snare and drum kicks that drop in and out like exclamation points on the groove, this is Afrobeat at it's finest.  The only thing that could be better than hearing this here is hearing it live.  Which, i imagine, would be more raucous.  The song is sort of a parable about people who would take advantage of your generosity and in the process cause you ruin.  I'll set the scenario.  You should also know, fogo, in Yoruba, means to break glass. So, Fela goes out with some people and he buys them drinks all night until he's out of money. These guests then get drunk  and proceed to break the bottles of all that they've had, beer, whiskey, palm wine, etc, on the floor leaving the expense of repairs and clean up to Fela.  The chorus "fogo fogo, ebe mi", essentially then is sarcastically speaking to the culprits saying that he'll assume responsibility for the glass breaking, but please believe, you fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice,.. well, you can't be fooled again. (i just had to one last time)

One of the very first posts i had on this site included music from Seun Kuti.  There's also a video of his encore performance at Paradise in Boston, courtesy of George, in the Vids tab (highly recommended viewing).  So as if he wasn't cool enough already, i just found out that he was one of the performers at the Dec 11, 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Concert honoring Namibia's Marti Ahtisaari.



And then to boot, he also recently released his first official music video for "Many Things", off his debut album, Think Africa.



I was going to add more to this, but i'll stop myself now.  Look out for more on him later.

As the year comes to a close it's a good time to reflect on the happenings of the previous 12 months.  In that time a lot has happened that we can all be thankful for.  This space where we can share art, music, words, randomness, was only just a thought this time last year.  To everyone that has been a part of this endeavor from the get, i know i speak for George and I when i say, thank you!!! Really, this would not be possible without your collaboration, support, encouragement, and appreciation. So again, thank you!!!  I figured, i'd show my own appreciation by catalogging all the tracks (well, almost) that i posted in The Jumpoff this year, and creating a playlist.  It's chronologically organized, so if you want to find the actual post you can follow the song trail. Welcome to The Jumpoff!

Dispatch #1

Dispatch #2

Dispatch #3


Each and everyone is a confluence of cultures, tastes, interests, and understanding.  It is at the point where all those meet that we are able to fully express the best that is within us.  So as 2009 dawns, take time to actualize your own expression.  Whether on The Highlife or not, through art, words, or music, the world is a better place with your voice in it.  So make your voice heard in 2009.  That said, here's to expression!  Happy New Year!!! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi