Afro-Beat has seen a strong resurgence in the last decade or so, characterized by the success of Femi Kuti, Antibalas, Tony Alan, Seun Kuti and the emergence of the “World Music” genre. Not just a hip hop producer’s treasure chest for samples, Afro-Beat has become the reference point for a previously undiscovered West African funk legacy. It is here that The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra draws inspiration from. The group was formed by Zvi Belling, Ethan Hill (Dj Manchild) and Tristan Ludowyk who are longtime friends and musical collaborators, each with vast and diverse musical backgrounds to draw upon. They travelled to Africa on a afro-Beat pilgrimage of sorts, it was on this trip that I Zvi holl’d at me about featuring on this project as a vocalist. I loved it, Afro-beat with Mcis. I love it. I am down. I did the recordings and was soon flown to Melbourne to do a showcase for the Australasian World Music Expo last year October, then went back in March a series of gigs that included WOMADelaide and the launch of their album “Do Anything Go Anywhere”
The challenge for me being the lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume and my solo project was subtlety. How to be a forty second fixture in a 10 minute song? It is a great lesson for an mc I think. You lead when need be, then you let people dance, then you fall back, become a stage hand even. I loved the experience. Big up to this gargantuan band.
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