Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra
Encyclopedia
The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra is a Leeds
-based afrobeat
band that takes influence from Fela Kuti
's Africa 70 band amongst many others. Although their music uses Afrobeat
rhythm and language, they also owe part of their sound to the space Jazz pioneers of the 70’s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60’s. The band have been quoted to credit James Brown
and Tony Allen
for having a large influence on their music.
The band was founded in 2007 after a series of jam sessions at the Leeds
basement bar and music venue 'Sela Bar'. In 2009 after a couple of years defining their sound, the band were signed to independent record label First Word Records.
In 2010 the band performed throughout the UK at venues such as London's Plan B, Vibe Bar, The Wardrobe
in Leeds
, Limetree Festival and Shambala festival
. On the 30th of October 2010 the band performed a live session on BBC6 Music for the Craig Charles
Funk and Soul Show.
In 2010 The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra recorded their first single. It was released in January 2010 on 7-inch vinyl. On the A-side is a cover of Crosstown Traffic
by Jimi Hendrix
with the band opting for an original track 'Lost in Kinchasa' as a B-side.
On the 15th of November 2010 the bands self-titled debut album 'Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra' was released on worldwide digital download and CD. The album and single in the most-part were recorded and mixed at the Analog Rooms in Elland.
On the 16th of November Jamie Cullum
cited The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra as one of his 'sounds and new bands of the year' after broadcasting them on his show for BBC Radio 2.
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
-based afrobeat
Afrobeat
Afrobeat is a combination of traditional Yoruba music, jazz, highlife, funk and chanted vocals, fused with percussion and vocal styles, popularised in Africa in the 1970s. Its main creator was the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who gave it its name, who used it to...
band that takes influence from Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
Fela Anikulapo Kuti , or simply Fela , was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of Afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick.-Biography:...
's Africa 70 band amongst many others. Although their music uses Afrobeat
Afrobeat
Afrobeat is a combination of traditional Yoruba music, jazz, highlife, funk and chanted vocals, fused with percussion and vocal styles, popularised in Africa in the 1970s. Its main creator was the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who gave it its name, who used it to...
rhythm and language, they also owe part of their sound to the space Jazz pioneers of the 70’s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60’s. The band have been quoted to credit James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and Tony Allen
Tony Allen (musician)
Tony Oladipo Allen is aNigerian drummer, composer, and songwriter who currently lives and works in Paris. He is currently writing his autobiography "Tony Allen: Master Drummer of Afrobeat" with author/musician Michael E...
for having a large influence on their music.
The band was founded in 2007 after a series of jam sessions at the Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
basement bar and music venue 'Sela Bar'. In 2009 after a couple of years defining their sound, the band were signed to independent record label First Word Records.
In 2010 the band performed throughout the UK at venues such as London's Plan B, Vibe Bar, The Wardrobe
in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Limetree Festival and Shambala festival
Shambala festival
The Shambala Festival is a small family-friendly festival based in Northamptonshire in the United Kingdom.Its a small diverse festival, it has a variety of music, this includes rock,pop,folk,cultural...
. On the 30th of October 2010 the band performed a live session on BBC6 Music for the Craig Charles
Craig Charles
Craig Joseph Charles is an English actor, stand-up comedian, author, poet, radio and television presenter, best known for playing Dave Lister in the British cult-favourite science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf...
Funk and Soul Show.
In 2010 The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra recorded their first single. It was released in January 2010 on 7-inch vinyl. On the A-side is a cover of Crosstown Traffic
Crosstown Traffic (song)
"Crosstown Traffic" is a song written by Jimi Hendrix. It was the second single released from the album Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience...
by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
with the band opting for an original track 'Lost in Kinchasa' as a B-side.
On the 15th of November 2010 the bands self-titled debut album 'Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra' was released on worldwide digital download and CD. The album and single in the most-part were recorded and mixed at the Analog Rooms in Elland.
On the 16th of November Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum
Jamie Cullum is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Though he is primarily a vocalist/pianist he also accompanies himself on other instruments including guitar and drums. Since April 2010, he has been presenting a weekly jazz show on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on Tuesdays from 19:00.- Early...
cited The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra as one of his 'sounds and new bands of the year' after broadcasting them on his show for BBC Radio 2.
Band
- Eddie Hick – Drums (2007–present)
- Paul Baxter – Bass (2007–present)
- Tarek Modi – Keyboards, Synth, Vocoder (2007–present)
- Gareth Parry – Guitar (2007–present)
- Simon Nixon – Trumpet (2007–present)
- Pete Williams – Tenor Sax (2007–present)
- Martyn Strange – Baritone Sax (2007–present)
- Leon Johnson – Tenor Sax and Shekere (2007–present)
- Kris Wright – Percussion (2010–present)
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/ariyaafrobeat
- http://ariyaastrobeatarkestra.bandcamp.com/
- http://leisurelab.com/2010/11/03/ariya-astrobeat-arkestra/
- http://mixdeluxe.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/the-funk-soul-show-–-2010-10-30-–-craig-charles-guest-ariya-afrobeat-arkestra/
- http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=51267
- http://afrobeat-music.blogspot.com/2010/10/ariya-astrobeat-arkestra-crosstown.html
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ariya+Astrobeat+Arkestra
- http://www.basic-soul.co.uk/radio/show-541.htm
- http://www.bluesandsoul.com/column/84/michael_de_koningh039s_world_music_column_january/
- http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/reviews/1128-ariya-astrobeat-arkestra-ariya-astrobeat-arkestra-first-word-records.html