Chicago Afrobeat Project, Roots Rhythm All Stars December 29, 2006

21+, $10

Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) is a dynamic musical collective rooted in '70s funk and jazz-infused afrobeat. CAbP mixes traditional afrobeat with other dance-invoking musical motifs such as Chicago’s electronic house music, complex West African percussion rhythms and upbeat funk. At each performance, the polyrhythmic groove and sharp horn lines of CAbP stir up energetic momentum, sweeping listeners directly to the dance floor time and time again.

The group began in late 2002 in a third-story loft on Lake Street in downtown Chicago. What began as a simple experiment turned into sifting through unique and colorful musicians literally from around the world. One by one, at a series of loft rehearsals in downtown Chicago, like-minded musicians joined the project, until members of the current band felt an undeniable chemistry. Today, the ever-morphing 7- to 14-piece CAbP consists of a full percussion section, a full horn section, keys, guitar, bass and African dancers (at select shows) -- and is still growing.

The band's live set consists of originals as well as carefully chosen classic and obscure afrobeat covers -- each embedded with the unique CAbP footprint. In CAbP, each member is a leader, an ensemble player, a percussionist and a soloist. During extended songs, a member of CAbP steps to the forefront to speak his or her musical mind, and then slowly recesses back to the groove. Following this musical burst, another musician will rise and return. And then another. From performance to performance, these musical conversations vary the texture of each song, though one constant remains: The rhythm section pumps an addicting pulse.

Official Website: http://chicagoafrobeatproject.com/site2/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1