AfriCali – Afrolight
AfriCali's 'Afrolight' is a joyful, spiritually charged afrobeat anthem from San Francisco, groove-heavy funk meeting cultural reverence in a track that shines
'Afrolight' opens with a drum rhythm that locks in and doesn't let go. The San Francisco collective channel the spirit of Fela Kuti and Ginger Baker's Abbey Road sessions, and the result feels both reverent and alive, steeped in history but dancing in the present. Sandra Izsadore's presence anchors the whole thing, her voice threading through layers of horn stabs and percussion that refuse to sit still. The groove is a genuine stunner, the energy celebratory, and there's a warmth to the production that makes every element feel like it belongs. Brilliant afrobeat funk, soulful and impossible not to move to.
AfriCali are a San Francisco collective drawing from Hugh Masekela, Miles Davis, 2Pac, The Doors. They've built a live reputation through sets at Harmony Festival, Fillmore Jazz Fest and tour dates with K'naan and Stephen Marley, and host an annual Bob Marley celebration featuring Black Uhuru. 'Afrolight' is out now. Essential afrobeat this year, and this is going right into our summer playlists.