Latin Beat Reviews - Reseña

Latin Beat Magazine, Feb, 2002 by Luis Tamargo, Jesse Varela, Gilbert Rivera, Rudy Mangual

FUNKADESI

Uncut Roots

(IACA)

Fusing diverse musical strains from the five continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, best describes the music of Funkadesi. The Chicago-based ensemble members have roots in India, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Canada and the U.S. Together the group integrates East Indian music (Hindi film, folk, and classical) with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, resulting in a total global groove meltdown. Funkadesi is the ideal new millennium party band with a repertoire to please every musical taste. The two time winner of the Chicago Music Awards for Contribution to World Music is still receiving favorable reviews from its 2000 debut CD, Uncut Roots. The production unites wicked reggae and East Indian vocals to backgrounds of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, contemporary funk styles, and rhythms of Indian ragas, among other delicious grooves. Noteworthy tracks include Through We Rasta (a truly reggae roots gem), Aaja (a salsafide dance-friendly track), Laung Gawacha (a funky East Indian jam), and Libation (a world music/hip hop composition). The music of Funkadesi is undoubtedly a taste of the sound of the global village of the future without drum machines and synthesizer gimmicks. It's music that's truly spiritual from the soul for the whole world. (GR)