{"title":"Artist: Afro National","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"afro-national-african-experimentals-1972-1979-lp-vinyl-record","title":"African Experimentals 1972-1979","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfro National\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e band was formed in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1972. Their inspirational leader, \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSulay Abu Bakarr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e accompanied by his wife \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePatricia\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAyo Roy Macauley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e split from the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSabanoh Jazz Band\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e to form their new group. They skillfully merged highlife and jazz sounds with a deep knowledge of West African sounds. Growing to become one of the premier bands to emerge from Sierra Leone they not only defined the sound of the country for a generation but also crafted some of the country's most popular and memorable songs (for example Sonjo which is included in this collection).\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe band toured extensively throughout Africa and Europe in the 70s (working with the giant of Sierra Leone music \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAkie Deen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e in the process). Towards the end of the 70s, the band departed Sierra Leone; Sulay and his wife moved to Maryland in the US and other members moved to London.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur collection focuses on possibly not the best-known songs of the band but the tracks which have the rhythms to move the dance floor. We open with the foot-tapping \"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJokenge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\" and its driving shuffle beat, swirling organ, and percussive guitar lines. \"Push Am Forward\" takes an afro-psychedelic turn with its hypnotic rhythms and driving distorted guitar. \"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMr. Who You Be\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\" is a cover of the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFela Kuti\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e track, doing it fine justice. \"Gowa\" highlights the vocal prowess of the band, as does the ever-popular \"Sonjo\" (the version featured here is a rare alternate recording).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMoney Palava\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\" opens up side two with its infectious highlife beat and hooky vocals. \"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMoney Nor Bataya\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\" highlights the band's first use of synthesizers. \"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMother In Law\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\" sweeps up back to Free Town 1973 with its clever vocal. \"Set My Soul On Fire\" is a bonus track that brings in the International flavor of the band.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Afro National band continues in various guises to this day, with Sulay and Patricia acting as the proud and talismanic figures for a whole generation of Sierra Leonean music.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/1X8AqjcZRd1GYOlZt4i3Cu?utm_source=generator\" width=\"100%\" height=\"380\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e","brand":"Afro National","offers":[{"title":"LP \/ Black","offer_id":41703275135167,"sku":"ASVN068-BK","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/6947\/3471\/products\/cover_2d92deb9-c660-46ee-b2fa-7c4326d5cf49.jpg?v=1698614292"}],"url":"https:\/\/helixsounds.com\/collections\/artist-afro-national.oembed","provider":"Helix Sounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}