Cuban music aficionados know Floridita already. Having long been home to the sweet sound of Afro-latin polyrhythms, their doors will soon open to accommodate London’s afrobeat revolution (a movement which is showing no sign of flagging any time soon). In a link up with Boulevard La Palma (the force behind the awesome London Cuban Allstars), Floridita are set to host an Afrobeat season summoning two of London’s finest exponents of that addictive West African funk. First out of the blocks are IBILE. Formed in the early 80s by BABA ADESOSE WALLACE, Ibile’s blend of Afrobeat, Highlife and unadorned West African drumming is powerful to say the least. Having worked with everybody from GERALDO PINO (West Africa’s answer to James Brown in the 60s/70s), FELA KUTI, MIRIAM MAKEBA, HUGH MASEKELA and GASPER LAWAL, Baba Ade et al stand alongside a host of afro Jonny-come-latelys as very much the genuine article. Clearly, as my name appears on the flyer also, I have a vested interest, but, biases aside, I strongly recommend you reach! Starting out with a traditional Yoruban call to the ancestors and segueing into a live, 8-piece afrobeat explosion, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be disappointed – unless of course you don’t like afrobeat in which case you’re probably not reading anymore anyway….
Here’s a taste of how it will go down:
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