Najite and Olokun Prophecy, "Africa Before Invasion"

Click here to purchase at CDBaby

Review by Nils Jacobson, published in "All About Jazz"

As many western listeners have discovered through groups like the Antibalas Orchestra, Nigerian pop star Fela Kuti's 1970's invention called Afro-beat is anything but dead. Fela started out as a jazz player, branching out to highlife as a natural extension of this music--since it represented direct fusion between West African traditions and the rhythms, instruments, and styles of the New World (especially jazz). Highlife paid the bills, and when Fela Kuti brought funk into the mix, his music reached new heights. Suddenly he rocketed to stardom. Millions of listeners followed his every move.

Enter Najite. The drummer played congas with Fela, absorbing his musical approach..." read the entire interview

Najite, "Drum Call To The Ancestors"

A beautiful recording of Najite soloing over traditional West African rhythms. Engineered by Wayne Peet, the recording captures each drum as it was meant to be heard. Najite's solos on djembe and talking drum crackle and speak with full voices over the warm undertones of Giavanni Washington's dun duns. The authentic energy of "Drum Call make it perfect for dancers and listeners alike.