The Shaolin Afronauts - Follow the Path (2014)

The driving force of The Shaolin Afronuats is Adelaide-based Ross McHenry, composer, bandleader, producer and bassist. The band also includes co-collaborators Lachlan Ridge and Dylan Marshall, and It is their combined musical tastes, impeccable production and instrumental skills that always result in music that is original, unexpected and quite beautiful.

'Follow The Path' is a 21 track double CD that expands upon and delves further into the musical genres that inspire and influence the group - rhythmic and pulsating afro-beat, and the avant-garde / spiritual jazz inspired by artists such as Sun Ra and Mulatu Astatke.

One superb example of the band's style is 'Ojo Abameta', a frenetic percussive number, built on a bed of amazing percussion and topped off with some deeply sweet ensemble horns which acts as a curtain raiser for this incredible album. The end result is reminiscent of African hi-life. The albums title track 'Follow The Path' uses afro-beat as a template, but with strong funk undercurrents, as the insistent beat underpins the beautiful ensemble horns and bubbling analogue synth sounds to dramatic and hypnotic effect.

In contrast, the second CD emphasises The Shaolin Afronauts more experimental and introspective side. As an example, the three part suite 'Outside Beyond/Three Ways Back' is a musical journey that takes the listener through many musical moods and textures; this is deep, spiritually rooted music that locates the band almost in a genre of their very own - having such an original and individual approach and sound.

TRACKLIST
1. Ojo Abameta
2. To The Water
3. Baie De Sangareya (Intro)
4. Baie De Sangareya
5. Sissoko
6. Lagos Chase
7. At The Shrine
8. Interlude 1
9. Follow The Path
10. Boogie Back Accra
11. To The Water (Interlude 2)
12. Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 1
13. Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 2
14. Abyssinian Suite, Pt. 3
15. Caravan To Tao Ceti (Intro)
16. Caravan To Tao Ceti
17. Outside Beyond / Three Ways Back, Pt. 1
18. Outside Beyond / Three Ways Back, Pt. 2
19. Outside Beyond / Three Ways Back, Pt. 3
20. Interstellar Griot, Pt. 1
21. Interstellar Griot, Pt. 2