Permanent War

This French outfit comprise singer Sir Jean accompanied by the style-shifting brass band known as the NMB Afrobeat Experience. They profess to a New Orleans influence here, although it's not obvious on this Afrobeat session. There's only the notable presence of a sousaphone, not a common Lagos horn, but the rest of the brass section is typical of the Afrobeat palette. The foundation is provided by percussion, guitar, keyboards and said horns, with Sir Jean ever-present on the vocal front. In fact, he's a touch too present, rarely letting up in his verbal flow, and not doing much singing, but mostly chanting and reciting. This would be fine if the content of his words had substance, but on several songs they lack the wit, energy and individuality to justify their dominance. Three of the numbers are surprisingly short for Afrobeat, clocking in at under three minutes. ‘Let Dem Do’ and ‘Take the Time’ highlight some satisfying saxophone action, and ‘Never Know’ has a prominent sousaphone introduction, but such episodes are lamentably brief.