D.R.U.M

World Beat,  Reggae, Motown, Rap and Jazz Band

 

D.R.U.M., an African percussion ensemble, has mesmerized thousands of fans since its inception in 1987 by lead singer/percussionist Alafia Gaidi.


D.R.U.M. has been featured in concert with groups as diverse as WAR, Gil- Scott Heron, Baba Olatunji, Burning Spear, Lakeside, Gregory Isaacs and Black Uhuru. They have often used their music to rally support for broad-based causes like Amnesty International or Sunshine Kids (for children with cancer). Their current repertoire includes shows of original material and cover tunes ranging from Bob Marley to Motown.

"Best World Beat Band!"

...Multiple Years with Houston Press Readers "Best of" Polls

An award-winning reggae group combining African Diasporic rhythms with vocals and pop hooks ...rounded out with a healthy dose of jazz, funk, R&B and Latin influences!

AWARDS:


2010 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2009 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2008 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2007 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2006 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2005 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2004 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2003 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2002 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2001 Houston Press Music Awards Best World Beat Music

2000 Houston Press Music Awards Best Reggae/World Music

1999 Houston Press Music Awards Best Reggae/World Music

1998 Houston Press Music Awards Best Reggae/World Music

1998 Houston Public News Music Poll Best World Music

1997 Houston Press Music Awards Best Reggae/World Music

1997 Houston Public News Staff Pick Best Reggae/World Music

1996 Public News Reader's Poll Best World Beat

1995 Houston Press Music Awards Best Reggae/World Music

1995 Houston Press Music Awards Best Traditional/Best Ethnic

1994 Public News Reader's Poll Best World Beat

1993 Public News Reader's Poll Best Urban Contemporary

1992 Public News Reader's Poll Best World Beat Music

1991 Public News Reader's Poll

PUBLISHED WORKS:


The following is a list of the works D.R.U.M. has created.

     

Africanexus- Compact Disc, 1998 (C) Drumusic

A compilation of musical styles including Nyabinghi, samba, traditional West African rhythms & chants, reggae, dub, funk, and jazz, with a touch of soul. The CD references five languages: English, Creole, Yoruba, Bantu and Portuguese.

     

Ancient Sounds of the Suture, 1994 (C) Drumusic

The groups' maiden voyage recording featuring a traditional West African work song, South African Mbaqanga, New Orleans Mardi Gras rhythms and Roots Reggae. Houston Press music editor, Brad Tyer reviewed the cassette and called it "uplifting... a clean sound" and "was surprised that the energy of D.RU.M.'s live performance could be captured on tape so well".

     

Plantationlan- Film Soundtrack, 1995.


AlliAweusi- Film Soundtrack, 1994 Documentary on the life of the artist, writer, poet, actor and activist.
Just Living - Film Soundtrack, 1993.   


Electric Purgatory: the fate of the black rocker ... 2005...

Scoring music for the film .The music score for the film was recorded by D.R.U.M. and special guests and mastered at Drumusic Studios by lead engineer, Anura.

Musicians...

Divine Rhythm, United Motion

NATHAN FAULK

Nathan sings, plays the trap drums, jun-jun, cowbell, melodic bells, shakers and the gong.

ANURA NEYSADURAI

Anura plays keyboards, Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes.

ALAFIA GAIDI

Sings lead vocals, plays the tenor saxophone, jembe, flute, congas, shekere and ago-go bell.

JAMAALUDIYN ALI

Jamaal sings backup, plays guitar, rain stick and moroccas.

OSAKWE RIKONDJA

Osakwe sings, plays bass, jembe, congas, berimbau, bongos, alto saxophone, jun-jun, ago-go bell, blcks, quica, tamborine, jinglebells, vibra-slap and shakers.

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

(RAPPERS, POETS, ETC) ARE ADDED AND AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON VENUE NEEDS.

MP3 DEMO:

Listen to them perform  one of their originals...“Answers”

Baba Ifalade (Alafia Gaidi) has been a practitioner of African Traditional Religion and Culture for almost 40 years. A native of New Orleans and of Louisiana Maroon heritage, he was accepted as the first American-born student of Daphne Donate,a Garifuna Maroon of Belize, C.A. when he was only 5 years old.  He is the great-grandson and son of Louisiana Rootwomen and midwives and was passed familial healing knowledge while growing up in the rich cultural milieu of New Orleans.


He became the student of Papa Joshua Frank and his daughter, Iya Oshuntola (Mama Black Venus) when he initiated into New Orleans Voodoo in 1978-9.   He later received Palo Mayombe initiation with Baba Enrique Cortez and his wife Maria Elizondo in 1981.  After he was pronounced to be "sent to Orisha" by his Palo cabildo, he met Iya Chango Larami (Madrina Rosa Lleva) in 1983,  and received the rites of Ajagun (the Warriors’ Guerreros) from her that same year.


Iya Chango introduced him to Oluwo Afolabi Epega for a Ifa reading in 1985,and he became Oluwo Epega's full time student when she passed in 1986, studying with him until the time he initiated to Orisha Shango and later to Ifa in Akure, Nigeria in 2003.   He became an Oluwo, (High Priest of Ifa) in 2008 under Oluwo S. Popoola, after the passing of Oluwo Epega in 2006.


Baba Ifalade is the Co-founder of Ile Orunmila Sango of Houston with Iyaonifa Oshunbunmi Ifamodupe. He has appeared on the documentary, "New Orleans Voodoo-from the Inside", and in a special added-feature documentary in the re-release of the movie, "Angel Heart."   In addition to being the founder of an award-winning musical ensemble. D.R.U.M.,  he is also a published writer, and has served as consultant on African Spiritual, Cultural, and Historical affairs for over 30 years.

ALAFIA GAIDI, Founder and soloist:

Featuring Alafia!