Shafiq Husayn – Shafiq en A-Freek-A [album review]
Shafiq en A-Freek-A is an album that takes on one hell of a journey. Not simply to “A-Freek-A” as the title suggests, but around the entire African Diaspora, picking up musical cues at every stop of the way. And each time he adds some of the eccentric genius that we’ve come to expect from any of the members of Sa-Ra to the mix. Electro-funk meets Neo Soul meets Jazz meets Hip-Hop meets Rock meets… ok you get the point. However you want to classify it in terms of genre, it’s clear that this is a stellar record.
I know the jury is out on Sa-Ra Creative Partners. Some laud them as creative geniuses, while they leave others scratching their heads. What’s great about Shafiq’s solo work on this album is that it appeals to both sides. There’s a much more obvious structure and rhythm to most of the album. However, it’s still laced with the sonic idiosyncrasies that have come to be Sa-Ra’s trademark.
While this is a solo album, and Shafiq is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he also enlists some of the best of the best to accompany him on his trip. Collaborators include Count Bass D, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Bilal, Steve “Thundercat” Bruner and about 30 more. From vocalists to instrumentalists, Shafiq is working with the cream of the crop. This is hands down one of the best genre-bending albums I’ve heard in a while. I definitely recommend picking this one up and giving it some spins.
peace,
-the judge
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