Trance for Nation, the latest release from The Superpowers, wastes no time bringing the funk with a booming horn section balanced by the deep pocket of their groovtasticly hot rhythm section. The Superpowers, achieve a perfect balance from top to bottom of the sound register--the guitars provide a link between the aggressive horns and intricate percussion. Claude and Rudy Gomis' voices glide over the richly textured ensemble as guests for three tracks. Yes, that’s Rudy Gomis of Orchestra Baobab fame, and his son Claude, who currently resides in New York.
Trance for Nation showcases The Superpowers ability to play with dynamics. Within a single track they can sink and pulse into a deep groove, then push out of it into an up tempo progression, and sink back down again. On the whole, the album is very versatile alternating between sharp, aggressive tracks and deep relaxed tempo songs.
“Connected” is a slow deep groove reminiscent of Egypt 80 cuts like “Look and Laugh” or “Beasts of No Nation.” The title track, “Trance for Nation,” also channels classic afrobeat with its the macabre drum beat, open guitars, and sustained horn lines. Claude Gomis brings a perfect element to The Superpowers texture. The Superpowers cool guitars and tight horns mesh perfectly with Gomis' sly vocal.
“32 bit” might be the best track on the album. It highlights the strength of The Superpowers sound--their ability to balance both aggressive and cool elements within a single track and achieve a duality of sound. Trance for Nation is composed of music the band has been performing live for months at clubs in Brooklyn, so the album incorporates their ability to accentuate dynamics and push the energy of the music during a live performance.
The Superpowers are a young group with loads of potential. They represent the generation of young musicians drawing on afrobeat to push their sound. Much like other New York based bands—Antibalas, Nomo, and Budos Band—they use dense, brassy arrangements and instrumentation and even adapt the afrobeat tag as part of their identity. At the same time, they don't limit themselves to any one genre. This is a band with solid roots, and room to grow.
Note for New Yorkers: The Superpowers play monthly at Zebulon, and are opening for Chico Mann on July 23rd, 2009 at Southpaw. If you like what you hear on record, you'll be blown when you see them on stage.
Contributed by: Marc Gabriel Amigone for www.afropop.org
