The Shaolin Afronauts

Today we are transported into the colorful world of a band formed in Australia, strongly influenced by the music of West Africa and the work of Fela Kuti, but also based on the traditions of the avant-garde - the boys from Adelaide The Shaolin Afronauts.
"Interstellar futurist afro-soul" - so not without a sense of humor, the musicians themselves determine their style of playing.
With their debut album "Flight of The Ancients", released by Freestyle Records in 2011, they attract the senses, make us get up and catch the rhythm and send us to a warm place where the waves break softly on the shore. Today we listen to the hit Kilimanjaro from the current album.
In 2012, their second album "Quest Under Capricorn" (Freestyle Records) was released, which confirmed the direction taken by the band's leader and bassist Ross McHenry and his collaborators. It brings a healthy infinity from the second half of the last century. From this album today we listen to Brooklyn.
In 2014, the last album of the Afronauts released so far - the double "Follow the Path". The music here is influenced by names like Sun Ra and Mulatu Astatke. Today from this album is the piece Sissoko, dedicated to the great African musician Ballaké Sissoko.
The characteristic sound of the band is formed by several factors: the strong drum section, against which there is no less strong brass section, skillfully placed under the direction of Ross McHenry and his bass. The members of the group range from a permanent 8 people to an extended 18-member composition, and this inevitably affects the dense African or Caribbean southern sound.
We wish you a pleasant walk through the bright world of The Shaolin Afronauts, whose music you will find on digital platforms.
And for the finale, we listen to a live gig from Tokyo, which clearly presents the cheerful and casual atmosphere of The Shaolin Afronauts concerts.
May 2021
Image ©MA