Follow the Path by The Shaolin Afronauts - Freestyle Records [FSRCD106] FLAC download included with physical items

Follow the Path

The Shaolin Afronauts

A 21 track afrobeat album (1h 33m 16s) — released September 8th 2014 on Freestyle Records

#world #afrobeat

The driving force of The Shaolin Afronuats is Ross McHenry, the ARIA nominated composer, bandleader, producer and bassist based in Adelaide. Alongside co collaborators Lachlan Ridge and Dylan Marshall, It is their opmbined wide ranging musical tastes, impeccable production and instrumental skills that always result in music that is original, thought provoking, unexpected and quite beautiful.

2011's debut album 'Flight Of The Ancients' was a critical and commercial success story. The follow up 'Quest Under Capricorn' further cemented the bands reputation for forging their own very particular sound - and now in 2014 - as the band prepare to tour Japan & Europe (including 2 prestigious shows at The Glastonbury Festival) Freestyle Records is proud to present the expansive & epic Follow The Path.

Follow The Path is a 21 track, double album that expands upon and delves further into the musical genres that inspire and influence the group - rhythmic and pulsating afrobeat, and the avant-garde/spiritual jazz inspired by artists such as Sun Ra and Mulatu Astatke.

One superb example of how this band execute their musical vocabulary is Ojo Abameta, a percussive & frenetic number, built on a bed of amazing percussion and topped off with some deeply sweet ensemble horns, the end result is reminiscent of African hi life sounds which acts as a curtain raiser for this incredible album. The albums title track 'Follow The Path' uses afrobeat as a template, but with strong funk undercurrents, as the insistent beat underpins the beautiful ensemble horns and bubbling analogue synth sounds to dramatic and hypnotic effect.

In contrast, the second volume emphasises The Shaolin Afronauts more experimental and introspective side. As an example, the three part suite Outside Beyond/Three Ways Back is a genuine musical journey that takes the listener through many musical moods and textures...;this is deep, spiritually rooted music that locates the band almost in a genre of their very own - having such an original and individual approach and sound.

Outside Beyond/Three Ways Back is just amazing! What a great album! Lots of plays from me. - Mike Chadwick Jazz FM

Tremendous and voluminous! An incredible cache of driving afro-beat and percussive funk. The continued growth of the band is evident in this 4-sided release. - Christopher Lawyer 88 1 KDHX FM

Liking this! - Shane Woolman The Wire

Sit, listen and let the magical sounds of the Shaolins' get to you. You'll be hitting the repeat button again and again... Sold! - Dim C. OffRadio

My heart is filled with Afrobeat...and my soul runneth over with soulful spirit....get down while getting up!! - misterG Greenarrow Radio - USA

Suffice to say this is a very strong release ranging from Nigerian Afro to Ethiojazz and more. Entirely instrumental and imaginative with it. - John Warr Juice 107.2FM / www.totallyradio.com

The influences of various styles can be heard in abundance making for a great musical journey through some excellent examples of jazz twinges afro funk. - Kel Sweeney

Support. - Hector NTS

Good stuff! - Trishes FM4

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