Band

African Head Charge

Mapped through Dub influences; 15 albums in the Staimusic archive; upcoming live dates.

African Head Charge
Biography

African Head Charge: history and sound

African Head Charge is a dub reggae, psychedelic dub ensemble active since the early 1980s. The group was formed by percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah, and featured a revolving cast of members, including, at times, Prisoner, Crocodile, Junior Moses, Sunny Akpan, Skip McDonald, and Jah Wobble.
African Head Charge: The Fusion of African Rhythms and Dub Music
African Head Charge is a British musical group formed in 1981 by percussionist Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah and legendary dub producer Adrian Sherwood. The band rose to fame in the '80s, with their unique blend of African rhythms and dub music, creating a new sound that was both thrilling and entrancing. In this article, we will delve into the musical biography of African Head Charge, explore their music genre, and discuss some of their best songs. We'll also take a look at some of their famous concerts and critique their exceptional sound.
African Head Charge's musical journey began when Noah joined forces with Sherwood to create an experimental project that imbibed African and Caribbean rhythms into the dub music genre. The objective was to create music that would celebrate Africa's rich musical heritage while also honoring the roots of Jamaican dub music. This endeavor led to their first album, My Life in a Hole in the Ground, which infused drumming, exotic chants, and sound effects.
African Head Charge's music genre is difficult to categorize because it is so original. Its sound is a fusion of traditional African music and dub. Sherwood's production prowess helped create the extraordinary audio landscapes that were full of reverb, heavy bass, and echoing sounds. This fantastic fusion made African Head Charge's music unique, experimental, and exciting to listen to.
African Head Charge's catalog comprises numerous iconic songs that showcase the remarkable qualities of the band. One of their best songs is Stebeni's Theme, which was released in 1982 and is included in their album 'Drastic Season.' The song features heavy drums and a trance-inducing bassline, with vocal samples from Stebeni, a schoolgirl from Tanzania. Another famous song is Dub Some More, an imaginative and surreal track that draws influences from the Mbira of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
For many fans, African Head Charge's live concerts are a highlight of their musical career. One of their greatest performances was during a two-night stand at London's Jazz Cafe. During this show, the band had a large ensemble, including drummers, bassists, and guitarists, and performed tracks from throughout their catalog. The show was an immersive experience, with the audience being swept away by the mesmerizing music and hypnotic soundscapes created by the band.
African Head Charge has received critical acclaim from numerous music critics. Some people describe their sound as an amalgamation of African, dub, and psychedelic music, and it's no wonder considering the amount of experimentation that goes into their music. The band's unique combination of African percussion and dub productions has influenced numerous musicians over the years, including Jungle, Massive Attack, and Portishead, among others.
African Head Charge is a musical icon that has created a style of music that is genuinely original and timeless. The band's music genre is an extensive fusion of African rhythms and dub music, creating an exceptional audio landscape. Their infused percussion that draws from Africa's rich musical heritage, alongside Sherwood's excellent production, creates an immersive experience like no other. African Head charge's ability to create fiercely original and exciting music has influenced musicians worldwide, making them a major influence on the music scene. If you haven't listened to their music before, it's time to take the plunge and discover the unique sound that is The African Head Charge.
African Head Charge is a musical icon that has created a style of music that is genuinely original and timeless. The band's music genre is an extensive fusion of African rhythms and dub music, creating an exceptional audio landscape. Their infused percussion that draws from Africa's rich musical heritage, alongside Sherwood's excellent production, creates an immersive experience like no other. African Head charge's ability to create fiercely original and exciting music has influenced musicians worldwide, making them a major influence on the music scene. If you haven't listened to their music before, it's time to take the plunge and discover the unique sound that is The African Head Charge.
Concepts

Genres, influences and musical ideas

Songs

Selected YouTube songs from our archive

Microdosing
African Head Charge Microdosing
Peace And Happiness
African Head Charge Peace And Happiness
Crocodile Shoes
African Head Charge Crocodile Shoes
Beri Beri
African Head Charge Beri Beri
In A Trap
African Head Charge In A Trap
The Big Country
African Head Charge The Big Country
Music

DISCOGRAPHY OF AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE