‘Basic Questions’ by Afro Cluster ft Greg Blackman (Single)

Straight outta Cardiff: Afro Cluster

Cardiff’s premier Afro-funksters Afro Cluster are back, with a promising new single and news of a new EP next year

Steadily making gains on Cardiff’s underground music scene for half a decade have been Afro Cluster, the funk-inspired hip-hop outfit whose exuberant live shows regularly attract crowds to the Welsh capital’s bars and clubs. Following line-up changes earlier in the year, the band are back with some studio work – a new single out now, and an EP coming in early 2016.

Basic Questions is a classic slice of Afro-funk, with full-blown rhythm and horns backing a combination of samples, rap and soulful vocals in the foreground. With so many musicians, Afro Cluster have an enormous aural palette at their disposal, which helps them sustain an evolving soundworld across the song’s five-minute span.

This track doesn’t sound like a glossy lead single. The uncomplicated mix plays to the band’s strengths by bringing out their musicianship and ensemble flair by the most simple of means. Basic Questions started out as a jam, and the ‘as live’ production style hits the nail on the head for this band.

Afro Cluster are ambitious and talented – definitely one to watch. In recent times they’ve been branching out with their live shows, so get yourself down to see them if you a spot a gig in your area.

Verdict: Funky Afro-infused hip-hop with style and flair

Patrick Reardon-Morgan

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