Afromotive to Play World the World Grotto July 2nd

by Erin Scholze
(Asheville, NC)

Bonnaroo 2008

Afromotive is coming to Knoxville on Thursday, July 2nd at the World Grotto located at 16 Market Square. Doors are at 9pm and showtime is 10:30pm.

Based in Asheville, NC, Afromotive stays true to elements of afrobeat music- West African rhythms, song forms, and instrumentation; while bringing the music into to the 21st Century through strong song writing, improvisation, & heavy beats, as well as playing in the major keys of South Africa.

Thirty-third generation djembe player Adama Dembele from Cote d‘Ivoire, West Africa brings his vast musical knowledge and touring experience to the Afromotive. These traditional West African rhythms combined with a mentality for upbeat funk music is what the Afromotive brings to its audiences.

Other instrumentalists have been trained in funk, jazz, and classical music as well as extensively studying the rhythms of West Africa; collectively they have created a sound that crosses musical and ethnic boundaries.

"It's all about the beat. Primal, horn-heavy, with a percussive punch that blends old school funk with tribal rhythms, the pulsating rhythms of afrobeat have crossed cultures and continents to carve out a groove that has touched the backbone of generations of funk lovers... The sounds of West Africa now resonate through the mountains of North Carolina courtesy of Asheville's The Afromotive." -Grant Britt, Creative Loafing.

On their debut album "Scare Tactics," The Afromotive takes the raw energy of their live performance into the studio. This album is an elaboration on the language of afrobeat music, yielding a truly unique sound that is rooted in tradition.

Afrobeat became popular in the 1970's with Fela Kuti bringing West African Music to the mainstream in America and beyond; The Afromotive will help to move this music even further each time they hit the stage. For more information about the Afromotive, visit www.afromotive.com and www.myspace.com/afromotive.