As a window into the musical direction of this Windy City collective, Off the Grid reveals to listeners that the American afrobeat revival draws as much life from the roughness of an American urban center as it does from 1970"s Nigeria. Not simply a cookie-cutting exercise from a Fela Kuti template, the three original tracks on Off the Grid, as well as a house remix by Backseat Bingo of the vocal heavy Media Man are the audible tightropes held taut by a powerful and controlled musical ensemble. Soloists bounce with effortless ease like energized gymnasts, while the rhythm section rumbles with the force of a charging elephant. Off the Grid is a colorful and funky leap forward for a vibrant musical genre.