ANTIBALAS - Security

Polyrhythm n. (mus.) The simultaneous use of different rhythmic structures in the individual voices of a composition

Polyrhythmic, multi-ethnic, and plural even in their numbers – the group is made up of no fewer than twelve members. Antibalas, Spanish for "bulletproof", is the name chosen by this New York collective, self-proclaimed heirs to Fela Kuti. Bolstered by the endorsement of his drummer Tony Allen and the production of the ubiquitous John McEntire, they churn out, with the utmost nonchalance, one of the most thrilling records of the year.

Groove, groove and groove. The "magic formula" of "Security" is quickly revealed, entirely built on the all-powerful, driving force of rhythm. Layers upon layers of patterns to lose yourself in: congas, single-chord vamping, a bass line that's a celebration of circularity, drumming that owes as much to funk as to the Chicago deities John McEntire and Doug Scharin. The latter's HiM is in fact a fitting point of comparison for the album's unstoppable percussive flow. The snare hits like a tank, immovable, heavy as a boulder, yet inexplicably capable of jarring breaks that order the foot to stomp and the hips to shake. No arguments allowed.

Sure, an hour of rhythms and counter-rhythms, how dull. No, sir. Not at all. The solidity of this polyrhythmic battleship is simply the excuse that lets the rest of the band cut loose with funk/jazz call-and-response. Horn unisons in the best big band tradition, unrestrained solos, now exuberant ("Filibuster X"), now placidly off-kilter and elusive in a way Jeff Parker would surely appreciate ("Age"). And a generous helping of synths and assorted keyboards, a bit gaudy, sure, but color has always been one of the defining traits of black aesthetics.

What sets it apart from so many other funk outfits, though, is on one hand the lucid composure that accompanies the vital drive, and on the other (which is almost the same thing) the post-awareness that dresses the band's undeniable mannerism in the abstraction of Tortoise/Talking Heads.

If only there were more mannerists this talented! Perfectly at ease whether flirting with dub/bop ("Sanctuary") or crafting woozy blaxploitation soundtracks ("Hilo", "I.C.E.") or mechanical synth-Afro experiments ("War Hero"), Antibalas are a war machine, dropping one bomb after another. As far as I'm concerned, scoring a direct hit.

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05/11/2007