Artist Afro Zep

Even in a world where Beatallica (Milwaukee’s Beatles-Metallica mash-up band) exists, nobody would have predicted that a band would attempt to combine the blues-rock of Led Zeppelin with the indignant, political Afrobeat of Fela Kuti. But that’s exactly what Chicago band Afro Zep does, rearrange Zeppelin, Fela, and Thomas Mapfumo tunes in to a new hybrid. Robert Plant’s wail at the beginning of “Immigrant Song,” for example, becomes an Afrobeat-style brass blast atop steadily chugging guitar and African percussion, and “DubQuarter” aptly funkifies the epic melodies of “No Quarter.” It’s a risky mix, but a hell of a lot easier to cheer on than the zillion bands who’ve baldly ripped off Zeppelin for decades.

Updated 06/01/2011