The Seven Ups The Seven Ups

We have to admit, it seems like every time we turn around, there’s a new Afrobeat band on the scene. It’s a precarious position to put oneself in, because you are automatically being judged by the gold standard of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. But we’ve found that because the original source material is so challenging, these bands are never lacking in talent. And Melbourne’s the Seven Ups has chops for days. Coproduced by Tristan Ludowyk, who oversaw the Bombay Royale, the Seven Ups’ new self-titled album starts with Afrobeat but winds its way around other forms of funk and jazz in the process, often taking the African influence and transforming it into a modern, gritty vision à la the Budos Band, like on the track “The Boss.” But the Seven Ups’ real songwriting skills come out on the track “Senora Doll,” a medium-paced, soulful groove—complete with handclaps and Memphis-styled guitar—that makes us remember how much we can love instrumental music. The jazzy, flute-and-muted-trumpet-led “Not Afraid of Dying” is another great example of how great the band can be when it ventures away from straight Afrobeat.