What is Afrobeat? You might not have even heard of it five years ago, but now it's an emerging genre in the United States.

It began in the late '50s when Nigerian musician Fela Kuti created the unique style. His music inspired Nigerians to move in more ways than one.

The groove made people dance, but the lyrics got them to think about politics and react to government corruption. Truly a "world music," it has even inspired San Francisco band Albino.

"It's West African polyrhythms, James Brown horn lines and a great vehicle for social commentary," said Albino saxophone player and co-founder Nathan Endsley. He came across the genre while at UCLA studying music education with an emphasis on jazz.

Friday night at Marilyn's on K, the 10-piece band will give Sacramentans a taste of Afrobeat. Albino will play at 9 p.m.

The band describes their sound as "heavy, heavy Afrobeat." This could be due to a baritone sax player giving the band's four-piece horn section a heavy bottom end.

But Endsley said the band adds Afro-Cuban, funk and jazz flavors on top of an Afrobeat groove. "Each member has their own influences," he added.

Back in 2003, Endsley and two friends decided to spread the music pioneered by Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, a.k.a. The Black President. They decided to form Albino and hit the road.

"The music has a social purpose instead of just being fun," Endsley said of Afrobeat. "You can say things with this."

Early on, unable to be on the road for as long as the band intended, the other two cofounders left the group. Since that day, Endsley has also been the manager of the band.

"It's a big community-oriented project," Endsley said of his band. "There's no one in the band free of responsibilities - that's the reality of a touring band."

Other members of the band have positions like tour manager, promotions manager and music director. Percussionist Kim Agnew dances on the stage and is in charge of the group's look.

On stage, the band looks like a tribe of sorts. Members wear costumes which have ranged from suits to Sun-Ra-themed garb. They even paint their own faces before their shows.

"A lot of people just think, 'What am I seeing?'" said Endsley of Albino's stage presence. "Face paint changes your perspective a bit - [it says] we're here to say something special."

"Expect to be surprised," he added. "Our goal is to make the musical experience incorporate the audience."

Tickets are $10 and are available here.

*Photographs courtesy Jonathan Costello.