Elite Beat is one of those “musical collectives”, this one based in Portland. A couple of years ago they released a live record with music from a set they played with Mdou Moctar. Going back even further, they’ve released a series of cassettes called Casual Rhythms. I first discovered them this year with the release of the excellent 45 “By the Light of the Pyramids”. Last month they finally released their first 12″, which is a collection of tracks from their previous cassettes. Dubbed Selected Rhythms, this is a hugely eclectic set full of non-western rhythms, excellent musicianship and a very playful attitude. Get it from Research Records.
