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The Fundamental Nature of Being

by The Shaolin Afronauts

supported by
MrJelly
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MrJelly Amazing set of albums. At times (Dust, Way of the Long Death and others) reminds me of some of Zappas more jazzy excursions. Its all extremely well done, top notch performances and production. Definitely up there with the best I've heard in recent years. Super glad to have discovered them.
immothep
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immothep Hey guys, I can't wait to dance on your amazing sound! Thanks so much for the good vibes.
BlueThird
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BlueThird Trying to remember when I last saw a band and immediately went and bought a five-album set as a result. Oddly enough, never. Which just goes to show how good you were last night.
kellidupree
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kellidupree I don't know enough about music to write an educated review, but this band is magnificent. I would venture to say that The Fundamental Nature of Being is a perfect collection of albums. So much to feel and experience and dance about. My soul is filled. Favorite track: Salt Flat Muscle.
Paul Rees
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Paul Rees Looking forward to listening to your new material.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £20 GBP  or more

     

  • Limited 5 LP box-set + deluxe booklet with extended liner notes
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Vinyl tracklist:

    Part One
    A1 Broken Flowers
    A2 Abyssinian Suite Part 4
    A3 Dust

    B1 Valley of the Crucible
    B2 Shakedown
    B3 Sands of Time


    Part Two
    A1 The Simien Fox
    A2 High Noises
    A3 Inside the Flame Burns Brightly Still

    B1 Salt Flat Muscle
    B2 Sugar John
    B3 Hall of Bright Carvings


    Part Three
    A1 Morning Song
    A2 Sun Spiral

    B1 Inner Working Outer Being Part 1
    B2 Inner Working Outer Being Part 2
    B3 Inner Working Outer Being Part 3


    Part Four
    A1 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 1
    A2 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 2

    B1 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 3
    B2 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 4


    Part Five
    A1 Reflections 1
    A2 Reflections 2

    B1 Reflections 3
    B2 Reflections 4

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Fundamental Nature of Being via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more

    Sold Out

  • 5 x CD in Individually Packaged Digipak Sleeves
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Fundamental Nature of Being via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Super limited restock! 5 LP box-set + deluxe booklet with extended liner notes
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Vinyl tracklist:

    Part One
    A1 Broken Flowers
    A2 Abyssinian Suite Part 4
    A3 Dust

    B1 Valley of the Crucible
    B2 Shakedown
    B3 Sands of Time


    Part Two
    A1 The Simien Fox
    A2 High Noises
    A3 Inside the Flame Burns Brightly Still

    B1 Salt Flat Muscle
    B2 Sugar John
    B3 Hall of Bright Carvings


    Part Three
    A1 Morning Song
    A2 Sun Spiral

    B1 Inner Working Outer Being Part 1
    B2 Inner Working Outer Being Part 2
    B3 Inner Working Outer Being Part 3


    Part Four
    A1 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 1
    A2 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 2

    B1 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 3
    B2 The Fundamental Nature of Being Part 4


    Part Five
    A1 Reflections 1
    A2 Reflections 2

    B1 Reflections 3
    B2 Reflections 4

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Fundamental Nature of Being via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more

    Sold Out

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Dust 07:12
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Shakedown 04:34
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High Noises 05:18
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Recollection 10:11
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Sugar John 05:27
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Morning Song 09:39
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Sun Spiral 06:24
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about

The mysterious afro-­soul of The Shaolin Afronauts first echoed across the dance floors of Australia in early 2008, captivating audiences with a highly evolved and unique approach to avant-garde soul music matched with an improvisational pedigree that immediately setthem apart from their peers. In the almost fifteen years since the ensemble's debut they have released three albums on Freestyle Records and toured across Australia and around the world.

After an extended hiatus punctuated by rare live performances, The Shaolin Afronauts return with The Fundamental Nature of Being, an epic five album release that expands the sonic vision of the ensemble to towering new heights of burning afro-funk alongside esoteric and ethereal new sonic excursions. This expanded musical journey further explores the wide spectrum of the band's musical identity – with each of the five parts designed as both standalone records, while also offering a singular listening journey across the band's expansive musical world.

The 5-part project was recorded over just five days, drawing upon the band's rich influence of 1970s West and South African music, jazz, psych-rock & soul, while also exploring the transatlantic sonic intersection between the 1960s electronic avant-garde & spiritual jazz. Free and partially directed improvisation is employed as a central component of the compositions, with the musical works acting as frameworks for the collective musical enterprise that has developed over the ensemble's near fifteen years together.

The vast project is available as a strictly limited 5 LP box-set, with a deluxe booklet of extended liner notes, due for release September 16th 2022. Each individual album also being made available for singular purchase, and on CD & digital formats, over the month following.
The Fundamental Nature of Being firmly re-establishes Shaolin Afronauts as one of the most interesting and innovative collectives of creative improvising musicians operating in the world today.

credits

released September 30, 2022

2022, Freestyle Records Ltd

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The Shaolin Afronauts Adelaide, Australia

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