Lafayette Afro Rock Band – Malik

Originally released in 1974, Malik is a powerful blend of deep funk, rock, and African rhythms from the Lafayette Afro Rock Band, an American group that found their creative voice after relocating to France. This relocation freed them from industry constraints and opened the door to a raw, cross-cultural groove that helped define the underground funk sound of the era. The album’s dense percussion, hypnotic basslines, and blazing horn sections are not only viscerally energetic but became influential staples for decades to come, especially in the hip-hop sampling world.

Perhaps best known for the track “Darkest Light,” which was famously sampled by Public Enemy and Jay-Z, Malik is more than a collection of funk jams—it’s a foundational document in the DNA of sample-based music. But even without its afterlife in hip-hop, the album holds its own as a relentless, high-octane fusion of afrobeat, psychedelic rock, and American funk that feels both urgent and timeless.

Reviews

“An essential funk classic... Malik blends tight grooves and African rhythms with raw, unfiltered power.” – AllMusic

“One of the most heavily sampled and criminally underrated funk records of the ‘70s.” – Wax Poetics

“‘Darkest Light’ alone justifies the album’s legendary status, but every track brims with invention and muscle.” – Pitchfork

“Funk aficionados will find Malik endlessly rewarding, a rhythmic explosion of Afro-centric fire.” – The Vinyl District

“The Lafayette Afro Rock Band were ahead of their time. This album is a high watermark for 70s experimental funk.” – PopMatters