The LIBERATORS
Sydney’s new afro-funk supergroup
Allow us to introduce ourselves… building from the blueprints of 1970’s Nigerian Afrobeat and American Funk and Soul, The Liberators have mixed the ideas from the new generation of African, Latino, European and Ashuri Australians and turned out some seriously heavy and unique grooves and melodies. This 10 piece powerhouse of groove was put together by Dojo Cuts guitarist and producer Nate Goldentone aka Nathan Aust in downtime between gigs and recording. The Liberators are Sydney based and have already rocked some of the best venues this Sydney has to offer, making lots of friends along the way. These vibrations even have bounce across the globe with worldwide radio play.
The Liberators landed on Record Kicks with their self titled debut album in March 2011 wich featured as very special guests Jojo Kuo (ex Fela Kuti / The Daktaris / Antibalas), Roxie Ray(Dojo Cuts), Ray Lugo (Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra) and Afro Moses, while Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra vocalist and percussionist Amayo wrote the liner notes for the album. The album has been well received and suported worldwide including by magazings such us Wax Poetics, Rolling Stone DE and djs such us Craig Charles BBC 6 and Gilles Peterson. In 2013 The Liberators are ready to realease theire awaited follow up album "Power strugle" coming out on Record Kicks next 25 November. With their second album, The Liberators have gone deeper and darker into the polyrhythmic, horn-driven realms of Afrobeat, producing eight weighty songs worthy of fueling any revolution. With a maturing mix of jazz, latin, soul and funk, it’s obvious the sounds of fracturing world events echo throughout the album.
The Liberators produced Power Struggle in Sydney, recording straight to tape in a no-nonsense, no-overdub fashion, capturing the phenomenal vibe of their live shows. Some of these shows have included a roof destroying performances alongside Mulatu Astake and Craig Charles at Russ Dewbury’s legendary Night at the Jazz Rooms. Power Struggle will leave you nodding your head, fist in the air, ready to join the uprising. The Liberators are back, harder and stronger than ever.
" This is soulful, tough, Funky, authentic and a CD that I’m looking forward to really getting to know. I can’t recommend this highly enough". Snowboy (Blues&Soul Magazine)
"I dig it!!" – Gilles Peterson (DJ, BBC Radio 1)
"That’s some heavy shit! " – Terry Cole (Colemine Records)
"Soulshaker Vol. 7 packs a powerful modern soul jazz funk Afro punch! And for me personally worth getting for The Liberators alone, Afro shakedown baby!’ – Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz)
" The Liberators are tight, right and out of sight!! Funky like a packed train in the summertime!" –Ray Lugo (Kokolo, NYC)
“The Liberators are further proof that this music is happening in Australia, right here and now. I’m expecting great things!“– Russ Dewbury (The Jazz Rooms)
The Liberators are:
Andrew Samuel – drums
Nathan Aust – guitars / percussion
George Sheridan – bass
Colin Ho – keys
Gio Ruscio – congas / percussion
Michael Gordon – tenor sax
Andrew Symons – baritone sax
Ken Allars – trumpet
Frank Dasent – trombone |
SOUL OF SYDNEY: Feel-Good FUNK SOUL DISCO & beyond. 