Marching Band Funk: Je Suis France's Afrikan Majik

Perhaps influenced by the fact I was on my way to see a friend who is a high school marching band director, the first time I really listened to Je Suis France’s Afrikan Majik I envisioned a whole halftime show based on the band’s infectious, insistent, interstellar, instep rhythms.

“Sufficiently Breakfast” keeps up the left-right march throughout its sprawling 11+ minute jam, but there are flashes of avant-garde guitar wails, percussion showcases, and a voiceless chorus that comes on like classic rock power chords. I can see the marching feet and amoeba-like formations. I can hear the sound translated to horns and woodwinds while the drumline and sideline percussion pit let us have it.

The song also inspired this bit of dancing I videotaped for my sons to watch while I was away at the National Youth Gathering. We like to dance at our house, and the boys enjoyed watching Daddy dancing on video while I was gone. I share it with you for two reasons: 1) My Susan already posted it at her blog, so the secret’s out, and 2) What better testimony that Je Suis France rocks than a guy dancing by himself in his garage not caring whether he looks like a fool.



Thanks to Je Suis France and Antenna Farm Records for the review CD.