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ANTIBALAS, "TALKATIF"
This seven-track, sophomore disc from the politically minded NYC purveyors of Afrobeat finds their sound being a lot fuller than last years remarkable Ninja Tune debut. This would be due to the crisper studio production, a few more horns this time around, and the plain fact that these guys can write and perform some heavy lead arrangements that gel nicely with a tightly-knit rhythm section.The disc's opener, "Gabe's New Joint" is a slow and slinky funk number with some great back and forth dialogue within the horn section. The title track shows to be some damn fine Afrobeat. Staccato horn motifs and group vamps, groovy organ solos, lush percussion sounds, and solo breaks which go right off the hook and build tension within the arrangement. This is all topped off with some vocal stylings from percussionist Duke Amayo, with a shout chorus from the band. "War is a Crime" is a bass/drums/percussion Soca-styled groove with some nice call and response melodies in the horn section which give way to separate solos from the baritone sax and trombone. "NYASH" is the track which had me out of my seat and dancing around the living room. The tense building of the busy horns right off the top, widely syncopated bass line and drum groove, lush organ and shekeres keeping it nailed down make this one of the highlights of the disc. Antibalas have always encouraged dancing at their live shows, which is very probable with the amount of energy these guys exude. It's great to know that this disc manages to capture it all. - 
