By Wif Stenger
Afrobeat, an infectious sound developed in Nigeria in the 1970s, is enjoying a global renaissance. One of its most unlikely leaders is a bespectacled, classically educated blond from Lahti.
Jimi Tenor has not simply jumped on the bandwagon. The Finnish musician has been jamming with cohorts of afrobeat founder Fela Kuti for seven years – while finding the magic key to unlock his own groove. Now crowds all over Europe are enjoying Tenor's irresistible blend of funk, jazz, electronica, sensuality and just plain goofy music.
Since launching his first band, the Shamans, in the late 1980s, multi-instrumentalist Tenor has explored orchestral, techno, psychedelic, funk and blaxploitation movie sounds.
But his collaboration with afrobeat players seems to have been the crucial ingredient in gelling his influences and talents into a perfect concoction. Whereas in the past Tenor has at times seemed too clever or contrived, his recent albums strike a natural groove that stretches out with afrobeat’s extended structures.
"I'd say we're more of a fusion band than an afrobeat band," said Tenor ahead of his April 29 appearance at April Jazz in Espoo. For many, fusion has become a dirty word, suggesting slick commercial pop-jazz or technical virtuosity and complexity without humour, emotion or earthiness. Tenor, though, creates fusion in the broader sense of the word.
Finland in on afrobeat
Afrobeat itself is a fusion, concocted by Nigerian vocalist, saxophonist, bandleader and political firebrand Kuti. He sliced and diced Ghanaian highlife, Cuban rumba, American funk, jazz and Yoruba traditions to create a heady, horn-laden sound. The tough, sexually-charged result predated much of hip-hop.
The musical Fela! has been a smash on Broadway since last autumn, and a film by Steve McQueen is in the works – as is a massive reissue of Kuti's 50-odd albums.
Finland is certainly not missing out on the afrobeat revival. Fela's drummer Tony Allen has played three shows here in the past year, Fela's son Femi Kuti plays Helsinki on April 28 and younger brother Seun Kuti performs at Pori Jazz in July, his third appearance in Finland, once again with his dad’s old band Egypt 80.
Grooving with the greatest
Since 2003, Tenor has collaborated with alumni of Kuti’s legendary bands – most notably Allen. Dubbed "the greatest living drummer in the world" by producer Brian Eno, he deserves much of the credit for creating afrobeat. At 69, he’s still going strong. Last year he earned rave reviews for a solo album – and a duo set with Tenor, Inspiration Information.
Tenor, who tours with him in May, says, "It's always so much fun to play with him. The way he plays the high-hat is unbelievable. He has absolute timing".
Getting into afrobeat, says Tenor "was actually an accident. I was in Barcelona and had some stuff I wanted African drums on. I heard that Tony was in France then so thought it might be possible to hire him. But he got busy doing an album with Damon Albarn, so someone hooked me up with this existing group in Berlin called Kabu Kabu. The drummer is from Ghana and the percussionist from Nigeria. He's been in Berlin since 1978, when Fela played at their jazz festival and a bunch of his players decided to stay there".
On Tenor's last three albums, he leaps into high gear. Everything falls into place: tunes, rhythms and solos by top Finnish jazz names such as trumpeter Jukka Eskola and guitarist Kalle Kalima.
Vocals range from Tenor's hilarious Barry White-style bedroom whispers to guest singers such as Cuba's Daniel Allen Oberto. Joystone (2007), the first full outing with Kabu Kabu, is full of memorable hooks and humour. The following year's 4th Dimension dispenses with the soul and pop song formats and most vocals in favour of longer jams that never cease to be groovy, fascinating and ear-tickling.
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