Afro-Strut

Afro-Strut was recorded by the Nite-Liters, the instrumental ensemble associated with New Birth, under the musical direction of Harvey Fuqua. Written and arranged by Fuqua and Charlie Hearndon, the recording appeared on the 1972 album Instrumental Directions, with engineering credited to Jim Crotty. Released on RCA Victor as a single in 1972, Afro-Strut reached number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 24 on the R&B singles chart. RCA promoted the recording alongside a specially devised dance, with demonstrations planned for Soul Train, reflecting the label's efforts to establish the instrumental as a national dance hit. Afro-Strut remains part of the recorded history of the Nite-Liters and New Birth, illustrating the instrumental ensemble's contribution to early-1970s American dance music. Its inclusion on New Birth retrospective collections, including The Very Best of the New Birth, has preserved the recording beyond its original RCA releases.