ABAYOMY AFROBEAT ORQUESTRA

The 13 or so musicians who make up the Abayomy Afrobeat Orquestra’s dizzying array of saxophones, brass, keyboard and percussion first met back in 2009 when they assembled for a gig at the inaugural Fela Day in Rio de Janeiro (an annual celebration in tribute to Nigerian Afrobeat king, Fela Kuti). United by their love for afrobeat, they decided to join forces, selecting a name that lends a clue to their convergence. Abayomy means ‘chance encounter’ in Yoruba and since this incidental meeting in Rio, the band have made it their mission to establish the legacy of Kuti and his contemporaries in Brazilian music and culture. Their debut release, Abayomy, was recorded live in four nights back in 2012 and features hit tracks such as Eru and Malunguinho. Now the group has landed their second album Abra Sua Cabeça (Open Your Mind), released early this year, with an aim, once read more...