Afro Elements

Formed in May of 1995, as a three piece (Phil Nelson - drums, Neil Burditt - keyboards & Simon Bramley - bass) with the intention of bringing jazz funk back to the forefront. There was always only three elements, but live the band always expands to at least an eight piece, with guitar, horn section, percussion and occasionally vocals. Their influences include Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Jeff Lorber Fusion, and a whole host of other 1970's funky fusion artists as well as the artists of today in the field of jazz funk. As they started to go clubbing at Leicesters' Mosquito Coast, hosted by the influential DJ Tony Minevielle, they started to get into music such as drum 'n' bass, house and garage, and a whole host of nu-beat jazz. The guys got to know DJ Tony M. and gave him a tape of an early demo, which he regularly played on his radio show on Fresh FM. After many lineup changes, the band settled and started to gig.

Although gigging was important, a release was the band's priority, and this became a reality when Internal Bass Records (home to Mr Gone, Down To The Bone and AKA Project) decided to put the storming cut "Casa Del Ritmo" onto their various release "A Taste of Internal Bass". The track went down a storm with jazzheads, clubbers and DJ's around the world, culminating in an interview in the esteemed Italian publication "Acid Jazz".

In 1998 The Afro's recruited a fourth element in Ian Crabtree (guitar, 25), and toured as backing band to Mr Gone.

In 1999 a new permanent member of the horn section was recruited, Jamie Harris, and the Afro Horns were born. A new Afro Elements track entitled 'It Remains To Be Seen' was released on 'Internal Bass Another Taste' the sequel to the successful 'A Taste of Internal Bass'. Work on the debut album for Internal Bass has already started, expect a mid 2000 release.