AFROSKULL

To Obscurity and Beyond

2009-11-25

Originally from New Orleans and now with its stakes firmly planted in New York, Afroskull has released it second album; its first in nine years. I knew I was going to like this from the moment I read the band name and title. Listening to it, I wasn't disappointed. This is jazzy, prog-rock involving complicated time signatures and a big horn section. Indeed, the horn section includes non other than Zappa alumnus Ronnie Cuber (also of Mingus Big Band fame). I can certainly hear both influences in this, though it's not all complicated instrumentals. There are a couple of vocal blue-neo-soul-funk pieces here in the tracks "Waste Management" and "Everything" as well. I like this entire thing, but if I were to pick favorites, I'd go with "Escape from Rome" and "The Curse". Rebecca Ruth

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Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.