tUnE-yArDs

tUnE-yArDs

When do they play: Saturday 4/14 & 4/21
tUnE-yArDs sound like: Afro-beat; stuff like Fela Kuti. White girl's take on the history of traditional African music(think Paul Simon).

Thoughts: Tune-yards is the project of New England native Merrill Garbus. She has done two albums, with her recent work "Who Kill" giving her wider attention.

As described by Merrill, "Who Kill" is an exploration on the power struggle that are risen from inequality and injustice, rooted from issues of privilege around race, gender, and class. Who Kill's theme is expounded by its African musical tradition, from R&B and free jazz to Afro-beat. Funny enough, a white girl is doing all this. So there are times I forget that Merrill isn't black.

Anyway, Tune-Yards released one of my favorite albums of 2011. I would describe "Who Kill" as a chaotic, funky, and fun album, that is characteristic of African music. She has an incredible vocal range with some fantastic instrumentation. So anyone who is a fan of African percussion, then definitely check out her work. I haven't seen her live but I imagine her sets will be fun and interesting. Her recent tour have a saxophone section, so that probably would flesh out the sound besides her typical sample loops.

What should I listen: "Bizness", "Gangsta". Pretty much anything off "Who Kill".