Preview: SHAOLIN AFRONAUTS // Quest Under Capricorn

artist SHAOLIN AFRONAUTS
release QUEST UNDER CAPRICORN
label FREESTYLE RECORDS
release date 16 JUL 2012 vinyl / cd / digi

Blurb:

2011’s debut album from The Shaolin Afronauts, Flight Of The Ancients, was a critical and commercial success story, lauded as a truly original blend of the sounds of 1970s West Africa, Ethiopia and the pioneering and progressive avant-garde jazz artists of the same period. It went on to be nominated for several music awards, including the 25th Aria Fine Arts Awards in the world music category. The band, led by Ross McHenry, cemented its reputation as a truly revelatory live act, with a colourful and vibrant visual element to their shows, with the band resplendent in flowing, hooded robes and face paint to complete the spiritual presentation of their highly original music!

Now in 2012, The Shaolin Afronauts continue their musical journey with the follow up album, Quest Under Capricorn, and the group’s musical progression is apparent from the outset. Opening with the mesmerizing groove of Brooklyn, the band establish their innovative and highly individual approach from the get go. Winds Across Gayanamede, whilst founded on an afrobeat foundation, also highlights perfectly the jazz element of the band’s approach – head nodding beats, overlaid with free blowing horns that ride over ensemble riffs in a seamless and enchanting style.

Moody, introspective keys and horns open up the title track Quest Under Capricorn, which has something of a soundtrack feel, and it’s easy to imagine the influence of film music legends Lalo Schifrin or Ennio Morricone permeating the proceedings as the band were laying down this expansive, eastern tinged endeavour.

Quest Under Capricorn marks a development and progression of The Shaolin Afronauts sound, which evokes the spirit of the mighty Sun Ra, Mulatu Astatke, Fela Kuti, John Coltrane, and a host of other free-thinking musical pioneers and explorers – and sets the group well apart from the glut of less explorative and imaginative groups of a similar ilk. The Shaolin Afronauts return with a highly original sound made up of classic influences, but tailor made for the 21st century.

Tracklisting:

01. Brooklyn
02. Gayanamede Prelude
03. Winds Across Gayanamede
04. Los Angeles
05. Quest Under Capricorn
06. End Of A Sun
07. Amhara
08. Voyage Prelude (CD version only)
09. Voyage (CD version only)
10. Forest Of Io
11. Saturn’s Dance