by Shaolin Afronauts
Adelaide may seem an unlikely origin point for a collective of Afro-futurist deep funksters, but Shaolin Afronauts’ third LP, Follow the Path, is a far-reaching cinematic epic that cries out for an accompanying sci-fi film, possibly starring Sun Ra, Mulatu Astatke, and Herbie Hancock (who would obviously fly the keyboard-powered UFO featured on his Thrust album cover).
The group’s fearless leader and bassist Ross McHenry has been exploring similar flavours with his Future Ensemble, but the emphasis here is less concerned with incorporating new technologies into the music and more on multi-chapter textural suites that pin the exotic funk cuts together in the cosmos like dark matter. Spanning two discs, Follow the Path spins like a galactic tour where the celestial flavours are suffused with potent African spices. The three-part epic ‘Abyssinian Suite’ is a highlight – it weaves sinuous Ethio-jazz sax improvisations with burbling arpeggiated synths and muted electric bass pockets. Another favourite was ‘Caravan to Tau Ceti’, in which a moody intro gives way to a multilayered and mysterious groove miasma, redolent of Sun Ra’s album Lanquidity.
McHenry gives some very interesting and entertaining background on the album on his blog here.
Follow the Path is an essential addition to the collection of any fan of cosmic jazz and funk, and it’s been released in a very psychedelic-looking vinyl deluxe package. Set course for your nearest wrecka stow, warp factor nine. Engage!
Review by Adam Rudegeair, host of Black Wax, Mondays 11am - 1pm.
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