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About
The Daktaris were a Brooklyn-based Afrobeat group known for their authentic Fela Kuti-style grooves and vibrant jazz funk influences. The group emerged from the New York funk revival scene under the Desco label, featuring a collective of studio musicians assembled by Gabriel Roth and Phillipe Lehman. Although the band initially presented themselves with Nigerian aliases to evoke a 1970s African aesthetic, they were entirely based in the U.S. Their sole album, Soul Explosion, captured the essence of Afrobeat with a raw, energetic sound that resonated with fans of the genre. While the members of The Daktaris did not continue with further releases under that name, some went on to form the Afrobeat revivalist group Antibalas.
How to Sound Like The Daktaris
The Daktaris' sound is characterized by its dynamic and rhythmic complexity, drawing heavily on the rich textures of Afrobeat and jazz funk. To capture their sound, musicians should focus on creating tight, interlocking guitar and horn arrangements that mimic the layered and polyrhythmic style of 1970s Nigerian music. The use of percussive elements, such as congas and traditional drum kits, is essential to achieve the driving, infectious rhythms that define their music. Brass sections, including trumpets and saxophones, should aim for a bold, punchy presence, often with a slightly raw edge. Incorporating analog effects like tape echo and spring reverb can help produce the warm, vintage feel that permeates The Daktaris' recordings, while maintaining a groove-centric approach that emphasizes rhythm over melody.
