It's Time

In 2002 the Red Hot + Riotcompilation album, which was an AIDS awareness release and tribute to the music of Fela Kuti, caused a widespread rise in the popularity of Afrobeat music in the US and elsewhere. Several excellent Afrobeat groups emerged and one such was the Alma Afrobeat Ensemble. They were formed in Chicago in 2003 by guitarist Aaron Feder, who relocated to Barcelona in Spain and relaunched the group in 2006. This is their third album and the first featuring Nigerian vocalist Joe Psalmist.

It's Time is a very enjoyable Afrobeat album, and comes with a very interesting twist. The first four tracks are conventional Afrobeat; the next five are recordings that have been passed to DJs for remix. The four conventional tracks are superb – instrumentally exciting with great horn playing. The vocals are accomplished, though not quite as acerbic as those of Fela Kuti – but then nobody bites quite like Fela. The five remix tracks incorporate elements of Spanish vocals, hip-hop, dub and psychedelic guitar. Each track takes the Afrobeat rhythm to another level – a gimmick perhaps, but it works well. All in all, a little like the successful fusions of Fat Freddy's Drop.