This is a multi-part series on the impacts of incarceration — specifically the disproportionate rates of incarceration Native people face in the state, especially in Northern Minnesota.

KAXE's Larissa Donovan explored the underlying issues of the statistics through survey outreach, extensive research and in-person interviews.

In the past six years, much of what we've heard from Adrian Younge is through his Jazz is Dead (JID) collection with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, connecting listeners today with frequently sampled jazz masters. This solo release is not tied to that collection but isn't terribly far removed either.

Younge put his JID sessions with Tony Allen, co-founder of the Afrobeat genre, and Highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor to work in writing these songs, tapping into modern Afrobeat sounds mixed with disco and funk. In other words, music made for the dance floor.

Between Younge on percussion and drummer Philip Andy Biney, who has played on past JID releases, the two demand the stage in "Feel the High Life," while the trio of vocalists throughout give the songs warmth and texture. Much of the album, like in "Shake Down," has a frenetic energy, as if Younge and the other players couldn't wait one more second before dancing their faces off.

In a matter of six songs, Younge made an album that feel freshly rooted while simultaneously tapping into the genre's roots. -KH

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