SITALI Sitali, an explosive rock trio based out of Washington DC, add their eclectic brand of sound to America’s musical legacy. Writing from a socially conscious platform, Sitali’s lyrics are powerful and politically charged. Each of Sitali’s three band members brings a different cultural background and mix of musical influences to the table. Sitali is the combined talents and experiences of a Haitian drummer, a Senegalese/Cape Verdian bassist, and a Zambian guitarist, who come together to form an unorthodox stew of rock music. The title of the bands new album, “Aluta Continua” (The Struggle Continues) summarizes Sitali’s commitment to political and social empowerment through art. In an age of frenzied cultural copulation and a global musical landscape that changes on almost a daily basis, Sitali deftly incorporates a wide spectrum of music – both traditional and innovative – into their sound. The inspiration for this band was conceived in the homeland of the Griot and incubated during the middle-passage; with stops in London and Paris it was born in the land of the free and the home of the brave only to be expressed through Sitali as uncompromising free rock! “Aluta Continua”, is a journey that connects the listener to music – past, present and future. In this recording, Sitali is able to bring soul and harmony to a punk rock song at break neck speed as heard in “Mojo”. At a quick glance, “Mojo” is a tale of a father who teaches his son about the wiles of a wayward woman in the old south. Upon closer inspection ‘Mojo’, which is sung in the vocal tradition of the “Delta” field holler, allows us a glimpse into the intricacies of racial classification from within the American slave community. Ultimately however, “Mojo” carries an overt message of self empowerment that most people can relate to. Set on a bed of grinding, head nodding, ‘Delta Blues’, rock, “Dollar Man”, the second song on this record, opens with a dirty blues riff, telling the story of an African traveler in modern day Brooklyn. Pulling no punches, Sitali’s guitarist and song-writer Kumalo sings: ‘08 in Brooklyn Ladies. Black maids and lily white babies. My brother, you better shut your mouth, though you’re not in the cotton pickin south, kinda looks like the days of Jimmy Crow. The ninth track of “Aluta Continua”, “Evil Friend” (a song about lost love and lonely victory), encompasses the journey Sitali takes us on throughout this record. On account of the fact that Kumalo doesn’t subscribe to standard tunings, the chord structure of this song remains a mystery throughout, resulting in a melody that is haunting, while vaguely familiar. Held in a tight pocket, the track culminates in a controlled eruption making it is easy to forget that there are only three people responsible for this sound! By the end of “Aluta Continua” Sitali brings us to a place where the music is as organic and unpredictable as the lives we lead. We live in a world in which many of us seek anesthetization as an escape. Sitali boldly asks you to face reality – and enjoy yourself in the process! In their latest release “Aluta Continua” Sitali’s music is a welcome reminder that a well examined life is the only one worth living. This band may not have the answers to all of life’s difficult questions, but Sitali will rock you into finding out the rest on your own.