This year (2010), Brooklyn-based afrobeat collective Antibalas will be celebrating its 12th year together. As we all know, staying together for 12 years can be tough. For example, by the time I was 12, I hated myself and couldn’t stand being around me. But then I discovered Antibalas and I danced my pain away! To commemorate its own anniversary, the band will be releasing a new 12-inch, reissuing its classic 2004 album Who Is This America?, and helping the country dance the night away by playing an eight-date tour. The band will also celebrate by taking a trip to Six Flags: Great America, where they will be riding the Batman ride all day.
The new 12-inch single, “Rat Race” b/w “Se Chiflo,” will be issued on the band’s newly forged Exactamundo imprint. The single’s two songs are a rip-roaring cover of Bob Marley’s “Rat Race” and a commentary on the global financial crisis (“Se Chiflo,” which is translated as “Everything’s Gone Mad” and features vocals from Marcos Garcia of Chico Mann). Both songs are certified live favorites and the disc is produced by Victor Axelrod (whose name sounds like a super-villain), a man who has worked with The Dap-Kings, Mark Ronson, and Amy Winehouse, and even once helped me paint my fence.
Once you’ve bought the single, which you will totally do (I command it!), you can head back to your local record depository on August 17 and pick up the reissue of Antibalas’ critically acclaimed album Who Is This America?, which is being released by Ropeadope Records. The LP was produced by Bosco Mann (Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse) at Daptone Records’ “House of Soul” and features guest appearances from classy dudes like TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe. Or, you can just stay at home and do nothing, but that’s dumb.
If you would much rather celebrate Antibalas’ 12th-centennial (or whatever) by seeing the band in person, well, like I said earlier, you can totally check them out at any one of the following dates. As long as you dance when you’re there. You better fucking dance. Especially ‘cause The Sway Machinery are opening. But more especially because Antibalas are playing.
07.14.10 - San Diego, CA - Casbah *
07.15.10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echoplex *
07.16.10 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
07.17.10 - Garberville, CA - Reggae on the River
07.19.10 - Portland, Or - Berbati’s Pan *
07.20.10 - Seattle, WA - Neumos *
07.22.10 - New York City - River to River Festival, Castle Clinton
07.29.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater
* The Sway Machinery
In other news: I went over to your parents’ house last night. Your mom was home alone, and I played some Antibalas to get us dancing. Then we fucked.
• Antibalas: http://www.antibalas.com
• Ropeadope: http://www.ropeadope.com
