Antibalas emerged from the vibrant Harlem arts scene in the late ‘90s as a new-millennium reflection of Fela Kuti's legendary Afrobeat band, Africa 70. Led by baritone saxophonist Martin Perna, Antibalas possessed an innate understanding of Afrobeat fundamentals—expansive introductions filled with raucous and joyful horn lines, call-and-response vocals, and an air of activism. But they fused those traditional elements with funk, pop, soul, R&B, Latin percussion, dub, and more to create an expressive, joyful style all their own. The band’s debut, Liberation Afro Beat, Vol. 1 was reissued by electronic-leaning label Ninja Tune, which also released the band’s 2002 album, Talkatif. But their breakthrough album, 2004’s Who Is This America?, emerged on Daptone Records alongside the label’s other stars like Sharon Jones, The Budos Band, and Charles Bradley. They carried their propulsive, free-flowing energy onto later albums like 2012's self-titled effort. The group prides itself on innovation with every release, so it was no surprise when 2020’s Fu Chronicles found them experimenting with electronic motifs and lounge jazz.