This 12" was recorded, filmed and pressed at Program Records in Thornbury!
Following on from their 2019 record Naming and Blaming, Australia’s premiere Afrobeat band The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra burst out of the gates with a potent new single ‘Shake That Off’, recorded live at Program Records pressing plant in Naarm’s Preston. Like the title suggests, you’ll find it hard to keep still through the hypnotic rhythms and howling horn sections evoking the music pioneered by Nigeria’s Fela Kuti in the 1970’s. The single speaks to finding the positive in every situation, and features spitfire verses from rapper One Sixth and authentic Afrobeat vocals from Olugbade Okunade.
Guitar, percussion and keys create the bed for a vibrant saxophone solo before the band and full horn section joins and builds to a crescendo. Simmering down for One Sixth’s verse, backing vocals chant in to support the chorus line, ‘Stress on the right? Shake that off! Pressure on the left? Shake that off! Problems in life? Whatever’s on your mind you can shake that off.’ A momentary dubbed out pace change sets us up for Olugbade’s call and response section and the single blisters all the way to its final moments, achieving exactly what was intended.
The band remains true to the Afrobeat blueprint of pulsating rhythm, extended improvisation and political comment, adding to the formula a host of pan-African and local influences as well as hip-hop elements that reflect their deep ranging roots. This unique blend of cultures equates to a boiling cauldron of musical fire, reflecting the importance of community and staying true to one’s convictions. Trumpeter and vocalist Olugbade Okunade reminds us that, “No matter the situation you find yourself, always wear a smile, celebrate every small win as you go because problem no dey finish, so get up and dance.”
Includes unlimited streaming of Nunc Est Bibendum/Shake That Off
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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Streaming + Download
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Following on from their 2019 record Naming and Blaming, Australia’s premiere Afrobeat band The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra burst out of the gates with a potent new single ‘Shake That Off’, recorded live at Program Records pressing plant in Naarm’s Preston. Like the title suggests, you’ll find it hard to keep still through the hypnotic rhythms and howling horn sections evoking the music pioneered by Nigeria’s Fela Kuti in the 1970’s. The single speaks to finding the positive in every situation, and features spitfire verses from rapper One Sixth and authentic Afrobeat vocals from Olugbade Okunade.
Guitar, percussion and keys create the bed for a vibrant saxophone solo before the band and full horn section joins and builds to a crescendo. Simmering down for One Sixth’s verse, backing vocals chant in to support the chorus line, ‘Stress on the right? Shake that off! Pressure on the left? Shake that off! Problems in life? Whatever’s on your mind you can shake that off.’ A momentary dubbed out pace change sets us up for Olugbade’s call and response section and the single blisters all the way to its final moments, achieving exactly what was intended.
The band remains true to the Afrobeat blueprint of pulsating rhythm, extended improvisation and political comment, adding to the formula a host of pan-African and local influences as well as hip-hop elements that reflect their deep ranging roots. This unique blend of cultures equates to a boiling cauldron of musical fire, reflecting the importance of community and staying true to one’s convictions. Trumpeter and vocalist Olugbade Okunade reminds us that, “No matter the situation you find yourself, always wear a smile, celebrate every small win as you go because problem no dey finish, so get up and dance.”
lyrics
So hard watching the news
Bad case of the blues in multiple hues
Thumbs up clicks, comments views,
Scroll on shoulder shrug cos what can ya do huh?
Taxman on your back, ex-boss on your nerves
Whole world burning down in your backyard
Worth breaking your back for less than it's worth
So your lucky if ya even have a backyard
Stress stacked up, can't find no relief
No pressure valve to provide a release
People had enough so there's riots in the streets
Even the firefighters are fightin police
No spare second just to find inner peace
Small man starve while big belly eat
Open up your mind if you quest to be free
And let this here be your remedy
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
Simmer down now
Simmer down now
Simmer down now
Ha, yeah
Seen her dance in nightclub
Glitter on her body made her look like starlight
I don't believe in things like love
But I fell for the style that she wore like a birthright
Or birthmark, either one doesn't matter
Cos she made my heart race like Ernhardt
It was the Manchild jam scatter scatter
Zvi on the bass, Tristan reading off the horn charts
Nui, Lamine, Ousmane, pata pata
Jules or Chris on drums, bring that banger banger
Simon, Mr Marama strum on the skane
Add the Public Opinionettes it's a banger banger
Try to talk to her, s-s-stammer, damn it
Couldn't catch a fraction of attention from this glamour glamour
Nyash was just a big bad mama jamma
Brick house bad example, this one packs a mansion
Standing at the front with no key
While she's in my head and she just won't leave
Tryin but I won't succeed
Cos I know she ain't here for me
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
You've got stress on the right
Shake that off
Pressure on the left
Shake that off
Problems in life
Shake that off
Whatever's on your mind you can shake that off
Shake it shake it shake it shake it
Shake it shake it shake it
Eh eh eh eh eh!
Uh uh uh!
Eh eh eh!
Shaky shaky your body
Make you move, o
K'o sáré gbajó
Problem no dey finish
Eh!
I say
Shaky shaky your body
Make you move o
K'o sáré gbajó
Problem no dey finish, o
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Ìgbádùn la wà o
Life is sweet o o everybody
Make una join us shake o
Because problem no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o
Eh no dey finish o o...
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
Problem no dey finish
Ko shaky body
Shake your body
Problem no dey finish
credits
from Nunc Est Bibendum/Shake That Off,
released March 2, 2023
Film production by Andrew Watson - Semiconductor Media
Audio production by Myles Mumford
Produced by Myles Mumford, Andrew Watson and Program Records
3x3 is supported in part by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria
The Public Opinion Afro OrchestraMelbourne, 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
The latest release from The Cactus Channel, an immensely talented bunch of young musicians, proving that the next generation of soul/funk artists will both pay its dues but be fresh at the same time The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Bubbling ’80s Afrofunk from Gyedu-Blay Ambolley built on calliope-like keyboards, skronking sax, and driving rhythms. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 28, 2018
