Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra) - Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka 2LP/CD (Plug Research)
Shafiq Husayn is a Master Teacher, someone who combines innate talent with the spiritual focus needed to reach their potential. As one third of the groundbreaking production trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has been using his prowess to assist some of the greatest musicians of our generation, from Herbie Hancock to J Dilla, Dr. Dre to Erykah Badu. This fall Shafiq takes a step away from collective efforts to direct his own opus—his long-awaited debut album on Plug Research entitled Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka.
Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka is 17 tracks of innovative music that defies any singular classification. “The U.N. Plan†sounds like a call to arms with Shafiq roll calling nations over uncomprimising drums. “Major Heavy†takes the listener to the clouds with a hypnotizing chorus by the perennially underrated Count Bass D and superb lead vocals from LA’s Sonny Coates. “
Lil Girl†finds Shafiq crafting a lo-fi, head-nod inducing beat that is perfectly matched with UK newcomer Fatima’s vocals. Shafiq enlists the help of more than 30 musicians and vocalists on the album, from bass phenomenon Steve “Thundercat†Bruner, the amazing Bilal, Om’Mas Keith of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, the classically trained multi-instrumentalist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and many others.
Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka is an experience in a way very few modern albums are. The title itself is clever but meaningful. In ancient Kemet, now known as Egypt, Ka signifies the soul or the mind, so this album represents Shafiq Husayn in a state of complete mental and spiritual freedom. Genres are melded, barriers are broken and trails are blazed through Shafiq’s masterful direction of music equipment, live instrumentation and vocalists.
Tracklisting:
1. Intro / Electra
2. Nirvana
3. The U.N. Plan
4. Cheeba
5.
Lil Girl
6. Lost & Found
7. Dust & Kisses
8. No Moor
9. All Dead
10. Major Heavy
11. Evil Man
12. Changes
13. Love Still Hurts
14. Le'Star
15. Egypt
16. The Odd Is C
17. Rebel Soldier
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