Majek Fashek live at B.B. King nightclub in New York
Nigerian reggae musician Majek Fashek returned to New York for his first Manhattan performance in a couple years at the Times Square B.B. King nightclub. The artist gained widespread notoriety from his 1991 classic "Spirit of Love" recorded for Interscope records at a time when the major record labels were actively courting world music artists, particularly those whose playing included elements of reggae. Since that time Fashek has toured extensively and released a best of collection as well as two follow up releases, "Rainmaker" and "Little Patience".
Tonight Fashek performed with an extremely tight band of locally based African musicians who were able to deftly rotate from Nigerian tinged reggae to funky, deep afrobeat songs such as a scorching cover of Fela's Water No Get Enemy. A highlight further into the set was Fashek's own "Majek Fashek in a New York" an elemental recording documenting the first time that Fashek came to New York in the late 1980s and realized that widespread gossip back home about New York's streets being paved with gold were untrue and that at first glance, yes, even New York had its fair share of beggars eking out an existence in the massive concrete jungle. The song, full of Nigerian Juju percussive elements, sounded full and complex with the large backing band, many of whom had shifted to percussion for the song.
We caught up with Fashek in the artist dressing room prior to the concert to check in on his latest happenings. He's got dozens of songs that are unreleased, many in recording phase and is ripe for a new album release. That next project seemed at the top of his mind in terms of priorities. Lately he has also been working on some exciting fusion music projects with locally based hip-hop artists, mixing his Kpangolo music with urban toasting. There was also talk of a Nigerian release single last year, a remake of "I'm Not Tired" with a scorching talking drum and bass backing, that was retitled "Am Not Tired" which we are waiting to see stateside. Samples of some of his recent musings can be found on YouTube including some studio rehearsals and samples of his fusion collaboration.
Certainly one song that we'd like to see a remake of would be an acoustic version of one of our favorite Majek Fashek tracks, "Sodom and Gomorrah", which was sadly omitted from the "Spirit of Love" release in 1991 but later surfaced on a Best of Collection. An acoustic version of that song, performed only with guitar, some percussion and lead and backing vocals would be a treat for his fans.
We are looking forward to what Majek Fashek has in store for us and will keep fans posted as we learn even more...
