presents
AFRICA UNITE: The Italian Reggae Band fro Turin, named after one of Bob Marley’s songs. Leaded by charismatic Bunna and Madaski,that has masterly produced all their albums and also most part of the top reggae bands in Italy.
They formed in 1981, when R.N.Marley prematurely died.
For 25 years AFRICA UNITE have been producing high quality music, their background being top-class reggae; they have played hundreds and hundreds of concerts, have taken part to a good number of international festivals, and have released 11 albums, establishing the most prestigious and popular Italian reggae bands.
Their first EP, “MJEKRARI” was released in 1981; self produced, it stands out for its energy its bright sounds, and the brave use of the Italian language.
In 1988 AFRICA UNITE released “LLAKA”, showing their musical evolution.
With “PEOPLE PIE”, released in 1991, the growing process was finally over. To support the album Africa kicked off a series of successful live Italian and European dates eventually playing in Negril, (Jamaica), where they perfomed at the “De Buss”.
The following album was released in 1993: “Babilonia e Poesia”: a colorful and powerful album, where lyrics match perfectly with the stunning melodies. The album, released in Italy, France and Benelux received a very warm welcome by the critics and the audience. Then AFRICA UNITE embarked on an Italian and European tour playing over one hundred dates; they also performed in Iraq taking part to the Babylon International Festival during the embargo due to the Gulf War.
During 1994 their first two albums “Mjekrari” and “Llaka” were re-released on Cd. AFRICA UNITE kept on touring being recognized as one of the best realities of the Italian and European Reggae scene, taking them as far as Palestine where they performed at the International Festival in Jerusalem and whereabouts.
Their 1995 album “UN SOLE CHE BRUCIA” obtained a serious commercial success, raising the interest of commercial radios, after conquering critics and people. This album features fifteen red hot tracks, back to Reggae, Roots and Dub, masterly produced by Madaski. The Italian tour that followed included over seventy dates and during each and every night AFRICA UNITE rose the warm enthusiasm of thousands of people.
Then AFRICA signed with Polygram / Mercury, two years later modified in Universal/ Mercury, after the merger of these two Music Industries.
They first Mercury release was “IN DIRETTA DAL SOLE”, a live album. One track for each year in their career chosen among their best repertoire.
In 1997 AFRICA UNITE has produced a new studio album: “IL GIOCO”, a new experience in dub, published with a special edition mixed by Mad Professor.
"VIBRA" followed in 2000, a great return to the Roots, one song has been written against death penalty. During the tour they've supported the collection of signatures against it. They played about 100 powerful gigs with the enthusiastic participation fo thousands of people.
On 10 May 2001, Africa Unite celebrating Marley’s twenty years since his death with a special tribute.
The performance was composed from two parts: in the first AFRICA UNITE play the emotional songs of the Maestro and in the second their most popular hits.
At the end of march 2003, AFRICA UNITE has released “MENTRE FUORI PIOVE”, the 10th Album of his carrier, the return to the Indie scene. Intense lyrics, Reggae “inna Africa Unite stylee” has fascinated media and all the fans, another brilliant success for the band. They ‘ve toured in Italy, from april to December with 74 gigs. On June,2004 the latest “UN’ALTRA ORA has arrived ,their second live Album, including a free live Dvd: more than 3 hours of Africa Unite’s live shows.
During 2005 they joned a brand new live project with a 25 string’s Orchestra. On this project they’ve played “one of a kind” special venues with a collection of their best song just with vocals and strings.
In 2005 Africa Unite has founded their own label and started composing new songs.
The new upcoming Album has named “CONTROLLI”, based on the sound new direction is a perfect mixture of Dub & Reggae, including special guests such as Natasja and Raiz.
“CONTROLLI” was out in april 2006, with a followed massive Italian Tour.
2007 was the time for “4 Riddims 4 Unity” a project based on the traditional jamaican concept of remaking songs starting from the “riddim”.
International and Italian Special Guests enjoyed the project, such as, Kymani Marley, Alborosie ,Princess Julianna, Sergent Garcia and many others.
The very latest release is “Biografrica Unite” 2cds+1dvd, a monography of the band with all the most popular hits, rarities and a video collection, including a backstage area.
“Biografrica Unite” has been co produced between Universal Musica Italia srl and Africa Unite. A prom tour has followed during summer 2008.
For the 2009 After a successful tour (italy and spain) the band is composing new songs, for the forthcoming album that will be released in the first months of 2010 Packing their bags for Hit Week Los Angeles
More fire on: www.myspace.com/officialafricaunite