If, as the great Fela Kuti once said, ‘music is the weapon’, then
you’ll need to wear armour to withstand the full sonic force of
London Afrobeat Collective (LAC) – this politicised party machine
are an incendiary live act who channel the spirit of the Afrobeat
founder via bass-heavy rhythms guaranteed to make you move.
25th May 2015 saw the release of ‘Food Chain’, the latest
album from London Afrobeat Collective. Having been at the forefront
of London’s live music circuit and attracting a plethora of
international bookings following their self titled debut L.A.C,
the 10 piece collective set out to encapsulate the energy generated
during their live performances and combine this with a newly evolved
songwriting ability and refined musical prowess.
‘Food Chain’ is without doubt the band’s best work to date, representing
a new level of discipline for the group, keeping true to the original
principles of the Afrobeat movement and paving the way for its
future as a unique and exciting genre to be heard and enjoyed
globally.
Produced by Leon Brichard (Ibibio Sound Machine, Plan B, Fela! the
musical) with graphic design by prolific artist Ben Hito (George
Clinton/Parliament/Funkadelic) 'Food Chain' is an album of anthemic
songs with socially conscious lyrics, set to bold brass lines and
hypnotic danceable grooves.
Since Michael Eavis invited London Afrobeat Collective to open the
West Holts (formerly the Jazz World Stage) at Glastonbury, the band
are now a highlight of the British summer music calendar having
staged highly acclaimed performances at Bestival, Cheltenham Jazz
Festival, Secret Garden Party, Boomtown Fair, Green Man, Standon
Calling, Wilderness and many more. The group also appeared with
No. 1 album selling band Bombay Bicycle Club for main stage
performances at Bestival, Latitude, Reading, Glastonbury and
Brixton Academy.
Their eponymous debut album, successive single releases and remixes
have been supported and endorsed by the likes of Questlove
(band leader of the Roots) on 'OkayAfrica' and BBC Radio 6 Music’s
Craig Charles Funk and Soul show. The band have also performed
live on Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' programme presented by Clive Anderson,
and have earned rave reviews in the national press including
The Guardian and Time Out.
‘Food Chain’ cements London Afrobeat Collective's reputation as one
of the most unique and exciting bands in the UK today, having
created a highly accomplished work with international flair that’s
culturally relevant from London to Lagos.