The Liberators - The Liberators (2011)

The eponymous debut album by the Sydney band. The group was founded by guitarist and producer Nathan Aust (Nate Goldentone), also known for his work in the band Dojo Cuts. The musical foundation is 1970s Afrobeat, American funk and soul, complemented by jazz dance, Latin rhythms and modern Afro-funk.
The combination of heavy guitar riffs, a powerful rhythm section, percussion and horns is particularly interesting. Among the guest musicians we find Jojo Kuo, who has worked with Fela Kuti, The Daktaris and Antiballas, Dojo Cuts singer Roxie Ray, as well as Ray Lugo and Afro Moses.

This release is a characteristic album of the early Record Kicks era, and a good example of the international rebirth of Afrobeat and deep funk. While Dojo Cuts represented the more “soulful” side of the contemporary Australian retro scene, The Liberators focused on an instrumental, polyrhythmic and jazz-funk sound.