Aphrodesia in the Boston Globe

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The Patriot-News (Pennsylvania) waxes on Aphrodesia!

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The Village Voice weighs in on Aphrodesia!

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More from the Independent- Lagos, Nigeria!!

From the Independent- Lagos, Nigeria!

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Jambase interview on the African Tour

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Jambase admires "Front Lines"

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Global Rhythm Magazine Likes "Front Lines"

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East Bay Express Dishes on "Front Lines", calls Aphrodesia 'positively ecstatic'!!

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World Music Central Likes "Front Lines"

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Aphrodesia's new CD, "Front Lines" Featured on National Public Radio's "Weekend America"- May 21, 2005!

To listen to the segment, click here, then click "Listen- Hour 2". Aphrodesia's segment is at about the 31 minute mark.  

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Common Ground Magazine excerpts Aphrodesia's Just Vote Tour Dairy

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Aphrodesia's Just Vote Tour in USA Today!!!

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"...Thirteen musicians in two Mission District rock bands, Aphrodesia and Rock Me Pony, are taking their "Vote-Mobile'' on a cross-country tour through swing states..."(Full article here)

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"...What's that, out on the highway? A breeze redolent of old french fries, a rumble of engine and drums, a 30-foot-vision of jade-green splendor -- it's the VoteMobile, coming soon to a town near you...." (Full article here)

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"...Why are a squad of lefty activists visiting fast-food restaurants from here to NYC? They're trying to persuade slackers to vote..." (Full article here)

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Also seen on NBC News 11, San Francisco Bay Area. August 8, 2004.

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CD Review at World Music Central

Shacking Up

Friday, May 21 2004 @ 08:30 AM EDT Contributed by: TOrr Aphrodesia  Shackrobeat Vol. 1 (Flatbed Lamborgini Records FLR808, 2003) Though they've been pegged as part of the current Afrobeat revival, San Francisco's Aphrodesia go beyond that. Yes, their music is full of the same sort of interlocking guitars, uninhibited horns and layered percussion found in the pioneering work of the late legendary Fela Kuti and bands like Antibalas who superbly carry on his legacy. They also have a fancy for highlife, makossa, Caribbean rhythms, celebratory vocals and other touches that enhance the combination of African grooves, James Brown-ish funk, freeform solos and lengthy running times that have largely characterized Afrobeat up to now. So, having taken care of categorization or the lack of it, let me say that this CD is pure dynamite. Read more of this review...

 

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Aphrodesia featured in 'Global Rhythm' magazine!

For more Global Rhythm go to www.globalrhythm.net

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SF Bay Guardian "8 Days a Week" pick for Dec. 31, 2003:

Countdown throw-down Afrobeat is a musical phenomenon whose time has come. After languishing in the record crates of only the most erudite DJs, Afrobeat forebear Fela Kuti's inimitable sound has finally found its way to American stages. If you're unfamiliar with the Black President's relentless African funk and politicized lyrics, stop reading this and go get Zombie (Barclay). If you're already hip to his earthshaking anthems, you know El Rio is the place to be this New Year's Eve. Aphrodesia, San Francisco's contenders in the Afrobeat arena, are 11 young heavyweights who play Kuti's music but embellish the form with Latin swing and reggae skank. Vocalist Lara Maykovich adds a steamy sensuality not found in Kuti's aggressive chants, shifting the focus of the message from the boardroom to the bedroom. It's an irresistible twist that'll keep you begging for more. Proceeds from the show, dubbed "Dance down the Empire: Resistance Lounge II," benefit Direct Action to Stop the War. 8 p.m.-2 a.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $20-$50 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 282-3325, www.actagainstwar.org. (Jonathan Zwickel)

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"Shackrobeat Vol. 1" one of the 'best records of 2003'- East Bay Express

APHRODESIA Shackrobeat Volume One The Bay Area's answer to Antibalas, Aphrodesia makes music with enough vim and vigor to make Fela's spirit proud. On this self-produced debut release, Aphrodesia adds traditional East African, dub reggae, and American funk and jazz influences to the Afrobeat bag, creating an album that truly deserves the multiculti tag. (Flatbed Lamborghini) -- Eric K. Arnold

Aphrodesia Critics Pick, East Bay Express, Oct 31, 2003

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APHRODESIA

There's a lot you could be doing Halloween night, we know. But Aphrodesia at Jupiter (510-843-7625) Friday night promises to be a treat, no tricks (honest). Aphrodesia's new CD, Shackrobeat Vol. 1, is absolutely amazing, placing the band as the Bay Area's answer to Antibalas -- their music revolves around funky groovy Afro-beat and Afro-Cuban workouts. Yet they up the ante with tinges of West African highlife and elements from Zimbabwean and Ghanaian rhythmic traditions, even a hint of James Brown funk. You can also catch them at the Elbo Room in SF (415-552-7788) Wednesday night along with Future Juju. (E.K.A.)

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"Shackrobeat Vol. 1" Review at Jambase.com!

Aphrodesia: Shackrobeat Vol. 1
Anyone feeling their musical tummy grumbling for some Fela style fare should grab a fork. Aphrodesia blenderizes high life sunshine, clinky chunky percussion, super thick horns and a vocal assault that does Fela's own Egypt 80 proud. What sets this apart from simple, sturdy homage is the living engagement with Nigerian funk and other African music. As with Ezra Gale's Latin rompers Mas Cabeza, this band complicates genre. They can be cooking along into some groovetastic pocket and out of that will rise a solo pretty as pie and damn near as sweet. Or in the midst of all this rhythm slink they'll slide in a number like "Step Into Your Life" which evokes Cesaria Evora. A few cuts feel almost too traditional; a bit hot on the high end especially vocally but that too is interesting in recreating the precise feel of '60s African popular sounds. The Bay Area's fab Myles Boisen outdoes himself again behind the boards, recording and mixing up another sumptuous album in his Guerrilla Studios.

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"Shackrobeat Vol. 1" Review at IGN!