Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble - Introducing (2004)

"Excellent debut!" - The Village Voice
"Dancers crowded the stage until the last downbeat." - New York Times
"The band tears through a propulsive set of original horn and percussion driven compositions." - Global Rhythm Magazine
"In Akoya's debut CD, Afrobeat's cross-cultural rhythm materials are as intense as rhythmic energies fused with modern jazz tonality and musicality. This is a great album that everyone will truly enjoy." - Lawrence Nii Nartey, The African Show, WKCR 89.
9FM NYC
"In 2005, Voted as one of Next 100 Upcoming Bands. Akoya is developing a reputation for whipping dance floors into a frenzy with their fusion of African, Afro-Cuban, Jazz and Funk music...Akoya is poised to make an impact in the budding global Afrobeat movement." iвтВм" URB Magazine
Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble takes to the stage an explosion of dance rhythms. Featuring members from Panama, Ghana, Benin, South Africa, Japan and the US, this 13-piece ensemble embraces unity and positive vibrations. The group features lead vocalist Kaleta, who for 10 years performed and recorded with the immortal Fela Kuti and Egypt 80. He has also toured with Femi Kuti as well as the legendary King Sunny Ade. Their debut CD "Introducing The Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble" has been very well received, as it has been getting regular airplay on radio stations in South Africa, Nigeria, Benin, France, London and Panama, as well as New York's WKCR, WBLS, WBAI, and WFMU.