Easily one of the finest pieces of music to come out of the whole NY funk/afro-beat scene, or any other funk/Fela revival for that matter. Maybe because the concept was still fresh, the participants were still excited, and Desco was still breaking new ground, this Daktaris album is electric from start to finish. My friend Jo (aka Joplus) was working over there when this came out, and passed a cd on to me which I ignored for about 6 months. By the time I figured out just how much I was into this album (while cleaning the house- always a good test), the vinyl was already gone. What'd they do originally, 500 pieces? The whole album flows with a relaxed but precise style that distinctly sends up Fela, while chopping the format into easily digestible three minute tracks. It feels free-er than most Antibalas, et al recordings and completely unpretentious. Try tracks like their cover of "Upside Down, Musicawa Silt, Quiet Man Is Dead Man and their JB cover "Give It Up Turn It Loose" on for size. Back to the authenticity issue, haters should have read backwards on "Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti" to catch the wind in their face. 10 tracks total, don't pass it up!

• music label: Daptone 2004

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2011