Afro-electronique by Mifune

Upon listening one hears shades of the funk laden groove of afro-beat founder Fela Kuti, the electro-infused sexiness of Brazilian Girls and the catchy layering style of Stereolab (a group that Mifune was chosen to honor on the internationally released tribute “the politics of photosynthesis”.)

In a little over a year since their 2005 live debut, Mifune has captured the attention of

both local and regional fans and media alike, being mentioned and covered in such notable publications as Downbeat, The Stranger, and the Pittsburgh City Paper. In May 2006 Mifune conceived of and played host to Afro-Fest 2006. The very successful event marked the first time that a festival dedicated to Afro-Beat and world rhythms was held in the Cleveland area..

In Oct 2006 Mifune’s debut album “afro-electronique” will be released to a very expectant and ever-growing fanbase. Plans to tour heavily in support of the album will spread the word further that music fans from across the board can find an element of Mifune that stirs their soul.

Here is what the press is saying:

The Beat Goes On Cleveland Scene May,24th 2006 "In execution, the sound is limber but light. While undoubtedly groove-driven, Mifune's tuneful melodies are buoyant enough to stay afloat within the churning rhythms. Christine offers a sultry vocal undercurrent, with a breathy alto reminiscent of Marianne Faithfull reigning over the bubbly Brazilian bounce of "Girl From Ipanema." The combination of effortless, bottom-heavy swing, afrobeat funk, and electro-pop exotica is infectious."

Mifune-"music is the wepon" pittsburgh city paper 7-6-06

Writer: JUSTIN HOPPER

When one considers the legacy of Afro-beats musical and political rebel, Fela Kuti, one and only one location links it all: Cleveland. All right, so maybe the heart of rock n roll isnt exactly the first place that comes to mind when discussing the funk- and jazz-crazed madmen of 70s Lagos. But in the rust-belt Afro-beat stakes, our neighbors down the road are doing considerably better than, say, the Browns. In May, the city welcomed Afro-Fest 2006, a gathering of a half-dozen of Americas finest Afro-beat bands, hosted and headlined by Clevelands own Mifune just a year old, but already making headlines in this tight-knit national scene. Guitarist and singer Jacob Fader and wife Christine (vocals, keyboards) began toying with the idea of Mifune in 2004, but with a very different plan in mind. The two of us and [keyboardist] Cutty originally were going to make film music along the lines of Stereolab, Ennio Morricone, says Fader. Cutty kept bringing more and more Fela records around, and the more I listened to this music the more infectious it got. Soon I had all this West African music, and was finding the correlations between that and James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic all the things Id listened to before. Just glance at its nine-piece horn-and-percussion heavy lineup and its an easy guess how thoroughly that Afro-beat obsession took over Mifune's assemblage without even hearing the relentless syncopation of Patsy Cline or the Fela-esque politics on Storm Troopers. But Fader is quick to point out that the bands initial intent still lingers strongly on its musical fringes. A lot of Afro groups thats their deal, says Fader, and theyre keeping a very powerful music alive, thats great. Its a prevailing theme in our music, but not exclusive. Morricone and Stereolab remains another theme Mifune has covered Stereolabs Infinity Girl for a tribute album, and when Mifunes debut album hits the stands this August, Fader says some of those cinematic elements will become apparent. But that wont change the bands approach to live performance, which remains that of its musical forefathers: Move the booty of the listener, and the rest, yea verily, shall follow. People who are aware of political and social climates sometimes get into this bubble, and think everyone else knows these things too, says Fader. But you cant just yell at people to be good. Its got to be beyond just rhetoric its got to be reciprocal. Our goal is to make people feel good, to open them up, and maybe some of that awareness can creep in.

sound/stage cleveland scene june 28th 2006

Mifune, "Patsy Cline" (myspace.com/mifunesound) This world-pop nine-piece blends the groovy, funk-tribal vibe of afrobeat with spacey, Stereolab-style ambient pop. The beat is as insistent as the melody, vibrating beneath the keys' and horns' shimmer and sway, while a "Girl From Ipanema"-style groove surfs over chanted vocals, conjuring a joyous island dance.

ODC music group

Contact: Jacob Fader

216-650-4223

admin@mifunemusic.com

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