Afro-Mystik is a fusion of DJ Culture, live percussion and Afro-Brazilian, soul and jazz influences.
The world is insane! Traditional musical boundaries between nations are bending. The sounds of native drums can be heard merging with house music and uniting with jazz creating new forms, disintegrating the mass–marketed model of pop culture. This is the world of Afro–Mystik, Om Records´ electrifying live experience. Fusing the rhythms of many cultures into one on their second full–length album, "Morphology", Afro–Mystik presents the evolution of diverse musical traditions into a singular, surreal electronic landscape.
Chris Smith (DJ Fluid) formed Afro–Mystik in 1999 as a fusion of DJ Culture, live percussion and global influences. "I wanted to get together a band that could bring in my influence as a DJ and live instrumentation," remembers Fluid. "There are so many artist/producers out there, such as Jazzanova and Bugz in the Attic, that are creating stunning, groundbreaking music. I wanted to take Afro–Mystik to a different arena by focusing on not only the production, but the development of a powerful live act." Originally producing downbeat, breaks and house under his Fluid Motion moniker on SF independent label Mephisto, Afro–Mystik allowed Smith to explore his obsessive passion for the sounds of African and Brazilian rhythms naturally fused with electronic beats.
Formed in the soul soaked soil of San Francisco, Afro–Mystik consists of six members: producer and bandleader DJ Fluid (keyboards), Simone White (drums), Carlos Araiza (percussion, guitar and flute), JSN (percussion), lead vocalist Omega and guest MC Capital A. Compared to the sound of 4 Hero meets Fila Brazilia by MUZIK Magazine, the Afro–Mystik debut album "Future Tropic" on Om Records stands as one of the first US artist releases in the electric soul genre. This album along with the following double 12" single "Infinite Rhythm" established an international buzz from the music and style centered press including DJ, BPM CULTURE, URB and BLUES & SOUL and brought the electronic music media´s attention stateside.
Voted "Most Anticipated Release of 2003" by SF BAY GUARDIAN, "Morphology" effectively captures the essence of the critically acclaimed Afro–Mystik live show. Stand out performances at the 2002 Winter Music Conference and The Sounds of Om Tour with label mates Mark Farina and Soulstice already have the underground bubbling in anticipation. Afro–Mystik´s new 12" single "Natural" is receiving support from such taste maker DJ´s as Rainer Tr?by (Compost), Halo (H–Foundation), Kyoto Jazz Massive, Ron Trent, Francois K, Q Burns Abstract Message and Bruno (Caf? Del Mar) and is earning buzz–worthy reviews from respected lifestyle publications including BPM CULTURE, MIXER and XLR8R.
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