Afrobeat Fan? Don’t You DARE Miss Bengali 600 at New World Brewery
Afrobeat is one of my favorite musical genres, and I had been waiting forever, it seemed, to catch Bengali 600 in person. Finally, at Little Econ Love Fest, it happened. At the time, I wrote:
At some point, there will have to be a Christian Ryan festival. The name might be tricky (Christian Fest?), but there will certainly be enough bands he is a part of or plays with to fill the lineup. One of those is Bengali 600, a band I have been Jones-ing to see forever. This seven-man group from Orlando plays Afrobeat. Tenor sax player Jeff Richey did a great job fronting the band.
After “T.I.B.W.F.” and “Daktari Walk,” Richey announced that the next tune, “Female Love Interest,” would be the band’s new 7” (that’s 7-inch). Every tune in the set sparkled. The rhythm section of Todd Elliott, bass; Robby Copeland, drums; and Vernon Suber, percussion provided the perfect backdrop, and Rogier van Etten nailed nailed the Afrobeat organ sound.
Richey, trumpeter Joe Meadows and the aforementioned Ryan (baritone sax and flute) were in lockstep, joined by Aaron Mellick’s guitar. If you like Afrobeat, this band is a must. They covered Budos Band’s “Ride or Die,” paid homage to Fela Kuti on songs such as “Hidden Hand,” and unveiled another new tune, “Law and Order (STFU).”
Here is one of the tracks from the new EP that the band played at Little Econ:”Female Love Interest.”
So that was Bengali 600 at Little Econ. Words can barely express how excited I was to read that this fine band is scheduled to play Fear and Loathing in the New World next Friday, March 25, at the New World Brewery in Ybor City. And they’re coming with new material! If you love this music as much as I do, then you simply CANNOT MISS this show. Be sure to check their official Facebook page.
DJ Pete Bones will be spinning before, the show, between sets, and after Bengali 600 has thoroughly blown your mind! 9 PM
