Texas Platters

Golden Dawn Arkestra

Afrobeat bands often take their cues from Nigerian kingpin Fela Kuti, but Golden Dawn Arkestra's influence orbits the interplanetary jazz-funk of Sun Ra. This Austin crew may actually prove even stranger. Recorded and produced by local A-team Erik Wofford and Adrian Quesada, the extraterrestrial 10-piece beams six songs in 24 minutes that walk a tightrope strung by two fellow locals, Hard Proof's electric boogaloo and Dead Music Capital Band's brass freakshow. Add in organs, guitars, a cosmic dance squad, and call it the "Afropocalypse." From the space-age disco futurism of "Dimensions" to the sun-kissed sand sweep of "Saharan Knights," saxophonist/bandleader/Sahara Lounge partner Topaz McGarrigle and company launch the type of musical spaceship not seen in Austin this millennium. And make sure you board the mothership. For all this debut EP's lift off, there's no replacing the real thing.