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Naming & Blaming

by The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Matte finish digipack CD - 4 panel

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    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Black 140g vinyl with a matte finish cover - comes with a digital download card

    Includes unlimited streaming of Naming & Blaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $40 AUD or more 

     

1.
No Passport 09:15
2.
3.
Medicine 06:45
4.
5.
The System 04:42

about

After a long wait, Melbourne’s Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (The POAO) is set to release their second album, ‘Naming & Blaming’, a pulsing, percussive journey into classic afrobeat. Recorded by a 17 piece ensemble, led by fierce vocals and a howling horn section, it’s a fitting 21st-century response to the world-shaking music of 1970s Nigeria. The result is true to the afrobeat blueprint of hypnotic, extended songs, improvisation and political comment but adds to the formula a host of pan-African influences and hip-hop elements that reflect the deep ranging roots of the band.

As the title suggests, and in true afrobeat tradition, Naming & Blaming pulls no punches. It is an outspokenly political record, a cauldron of strong opinions where indignation and optimism coexist. Led by the vocals of MC One Sixth and singer Lamine Sonko, the critique of colonialism is applied to both the African and Australian experience, the battles of many cultures informing the group’s ethos as does the importance of community and staying true to one’s convictions. Uplifting visions of a brighter possible future as laid out in “No Passport,” the album’s rambunctious opening song, are balanced with honest reflections on injustice like guest Robbie Thorpe’s take on Australia’s chequered history in the title track.

For the Naming & Blaming cover, the band was honoured to have the opportunity to work with one of the originators of the Afrobeat movement Lemi Ghariokwu, the legendary collage artist and illustrator responsible for all of Fela’s most famous album covers of the 1970s. This relationship is what the POAO is all about, paying respects to the culture and keeping it alive and relevant in the 21st century. Over the last decade, The POAO have established themselves as a firm festival favourites with their contemporary approach to Afrobeat.

credits

released November 30, 2018

Lamine Sonko: Vocals, Percussion
1/6: Vocals
Kuukua Acqua: Vocals
Lydia Acqua: Vocals
Fem Belling: Vocals
Simon Edwards: Guitar
Dave Marama: Guitar
Zvi Belling: Bass
Julian Goyma: Drums
John Mcall: Keys
Tristan Ludowyk: Trumpet, Keys, Guitar, Percussion
Declan Jones: Trumpet
Peter Slipper: Trombone
Nick Lester: Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Andy Williamson: Baritone Saxophone
Nui Moon: Percussion
DJ Manchild: Percussion, Turntables
Robbie Thorpe: Vocals on 'Naming & Blaming'
Jidah Clarke: Didgeridoo samples on 'Naming & Blaming'

Produced by Tristan Ludowyk, Zvi Belling and DJ Manchild
Recorded at Soundpark by Tristan Ludowyk
Mixed by Tristan Ludowyk

Original cover art: Lemi Ghariokwu
Graphic design: Chad Harris
Mastered by Lachlan Carrick at Moose Mastering

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all rights reserved

tags

about

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra Melbourne, Australia

Inspired by the infectious afro-beat music of Nigeria and its neighbours, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra delivers contemporary African funk to Australian dancefloors. The band’s powerful MCs and tribal rhythms are the modern-day “musical weapon” that Fela Kuti conceived of. Their conscious lyrics and West African grooves are relevant today, while remaining faithful to the message of afro-beat. ... more

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