Mar 24, 2016

900th post - From Netherlands: Umoja - Je-Ka-Lo! (for free)

First of all, Umoja should not be mixed up with American band with similar name Umjoa Orchestra (or here) even though both of them are have an afrobeat influence in their music!

 

The sunshine duo from the rainy Netherlands, Umoja, is an organic evolution between two humble groove aficionados whose paths crossed over half a decade ago. They are dedicated to combine electronic productions with a perfect understanding of world rhythms. Their music presents an expression of their love for experimentation with African, South American and exotic traditions.

Umoja also functions as curator and initiator of the record labels Piri Piri & INI Movement. Their first release was "Je ka lo!", released in 2012 on INI Movement. Since back then, they have been putting out top quality music, always combining different genres and cultures. This voyage has taken the duo to gain support from great artists such as Sam Redmore, Feel My Bicep (Gilles Peterson WW set), Anthony Valadez, Jeremy Sole, iZem, Alma Negra, Batida, Funky Bompa, MPS Pilot and many more. They also have worked closely with organizations of international reputation like Akwaaba music and Sound & Collors magazine. Throughout the top productions and remixes, Umoja has delivered several musical treasures such as Bilongo Con Sandunga, Mo Fiya!, Danzi! (their latest release on Piri Piri) and La Piragua which have conquered the taste of followers from all over the planet. Since Umoja's music crosses borders and genres, they have released on some of the best record labels from all over the globe: Regional (Peru), Vida Records (Spain), Piri Piri (Fiji) and Mawimbi Records, Hot Casa (France), Carnibal (Greece), Sello Regional (Chile), INI Movement (NL) and Budabeats (Hungary).


 Umoja



Mar 18, 2016

From Chile: Newen Afrobeat -


Newen is the first Afrobeat Afrobeat Orchestra in Chile. Formed in 2009, it is the answer from this part of the planet to the style created by Fela Kuti. Afrobeat music Newen is the union of African tradition with Latin American musical heritage and this is reflected in the name that was baptized the band. "Newen" is a word taken from the Mapuche language, language of the Mapuche people, one of the main indigenous peoples of Chile. "Newen" means strength or spirit manifested in all things. Newen Afrobeat Afrobeat is then hard, with spirit.
As Fela Kuti said music is the weapon and this slogan is always present in the proposal Newen Afrobeat. His lyrics reflected the concerns of the younger generation who want to see a new world, a free world where we recognize that we have always been one. This message has echoed in the new generations of young Chileans who are no longer afraid to tell the truth, dancing and singing hard for freedom in the context of a society that is awakening.
Special mention deserves the power of their live show. Newen Afrobeat, rather than an orchestra, is a family looking for the genuine expression through music and dance. Today, this family consists of fifteen musicians. The high quality of their live show has led to important stages in the Chilean scene and major festivals like Lollapalooza Chile 2012 y Siempre Vivo Reggae 2013, among others.
2013, Newen live Afrobeat records his first self-titled album in Southern Studies and Research Triana, with our friend and engineer Gonzalo "Chalo" Gonzalez and assistant Jaime "Humitas" Garcia. On December 22 the same year, carried out the launch of this, the first album of Chilean Afrobeat, in the park Juan XXXIII, with a free concert and outdoor gathered more than 2,000 people of all ages .
This year 2015 are back from their first successful tour of Brazil in Sao Paulo. An experience that has approached closer to African roots and bands and DJs on the international circuit of Afrobeat such as Dj Tudo (Bra), Dj Mukambo (Belg), Bixiga 70 '(SP, Bra) and Abayomi (Rio de Janeiro) as also people and the massive feeling of enjoyment that gives this musical style. Return recharged to Chile premiering audiovisual production in its interpretation of "Upside Down", original Fela Kuti (1976), which has rapidly been heard and viralised on social networks with the recognition of Sandra Isadore, original singer of the theme, as well Duke Amayo (Bulletproof, USA) in Nigeria by the Kuti family and have recently met and strengthened ties of friendship and fraternity with Carlos Moore, official biographer of Fela Kuti.


newenafrobeat.com 


Tracklist

01. Santiago
02. Caminante
03. Rojo Carmin
04. Polvo de Inti
05. P.D.T.N.
06. Nacion Nueva
07. Que Sabemos

Mar 16, 2016

From Spain: Mampön Afrobeat - Mampön



MAMPÖN was born in March 2010 in Barcelona and since then it has been part of the Afrobeat scene of the city. The group has been performing in venues like Marula, Almodobar, Resistance, Underground, among many others. It participated in events such as El día de Fela, organized by the magazine Enlace Funk and DJ Floro from Radio 3, and the Afrobeat Allstars Barcelona, at the concerts venue Apolo 2.

Moreover, it has also collaborated on albums like La música es el arma del futuro (A tribute to Fela from Spanish Bands) with the theme Colonial Mentality, produced by the cultural association AfrobeatProject in collaboration with the magazine Enlace Funk and DJ Floro de Radio 3, and the compilation BLACKCELONA Vol.2 - Soul, funk & groove sounds from Barcelona with the unreleased song Bar Girl (Blackcelona).

In November 2015 Mampon has published its new album, with 8 new and original tracks that you can hear on this page.


mampon.org




Tracklist

01. Cosmic Cream
02. Bar Girl
03. Into The Jungle
04. King's Drama
05. Out
06. Stampede
07. Take Wine
08. Ultima

Mar 11, 2016

From Israel: Hoodna Afrobeat Orchestra - Let Go


Hoodna Afrobeat Orchestra, also known H.A.O, is an Israeli Afrobeat band from the south part of Tel-Aviv, formed in 2013. Inspired by the humming and clanging of carpentry and metal workshops.

Originally conceived as a traditional Afrobeat group, H.A.O quickly developed a far spikier sound, often played faster and more emphatically than many of their contemporaries. They have also proven adept at broadening their sound by incorporating influences from a variety of other genres.

hoodna-afrobeat.com 
 

Tracklist


01. Boorekas Las Vegas
02. Let Go 03:43
03. Belomi Benna
04. Alemitu
05. Violence
06. Magiq Kiss
07. 5 am
08. Africa3
09. Tabu
 

Mar 10, 2016

From UK: The Sea Slugs - What’s Not Reflected


The Sea Slugs’ unique music is borne out of a collective condemnation of intolerance, a strong sense of solidarity with fellow humans, and a passion for the music of Fela Kuti. The result is a visceral, often turbulent sound with a subversive edge. The product of a wide array of musical influences and political and humanitarian motivations, The Sea Slugs’ contemporary take on Afrobeat is both potent and communicable; their sound and intent are indivisible.

The band adopted the name ‘The Sea Slugs’ in 2013, and have since been gigging and leading workshops across the country, taking in opportunities to work and share ideas with some renowned musicians, including percussionist Lekan Babalola and keyboard player in Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band, Dele Sosimi. These experiences helped shape the sound heard on The Sea Slugs’ debut album ‘What’s Not Reflected.’, recorded on December 5th 2013 and released the following spring.

The Sea Slugs’ second album, ‘Women, They Cause Fear’, recorded across one weekend in December 2014, sees the band take a huge step forward, forging a truly original sonic identity, and directing their musical ferocity at those in ‘power’ who disseminate intolerance, distrust and fear amongst their own people.  


TheSeaSlugs 


The Sea Slugs’ unique music is borne out of a collective condemnation of intolerance, a strong sense of solidarity with fellow humans, and a passion for the music of Fela Kuti. The result is a visceral, often turbulent sound with a subversive edge, subjecting the listener to songs beyond a common pop structure. Every incorporated element is expressed through quantum musicality: big intros, melodies evocative of Jupiter, explorative improvisations and dynamic call and response to course through your veins. The product of a wide array of musical influences and political and humanitarian motivations, The Sea Slugs’ contemporary take on Afrobeat is both potent and communicable; their sound and intent are indivisible.

thelighthousedeal.co.uk 


Tracklist

01. Them Destroy My Home
02. Ignorance Of Altruism
03. Deluded Control
04. To The Banks Of The River Niger
05. Moments Of Oppression

Mar 8, 2016

The Jagger Botchway Group – Odze Odze


Jagger Botchway is most famous for his work with the Hedzoleh Soundz and Hugh Masekela. Jagger was also the driving force behind the highly sought-after Ghanaian afro-funk masterpiece Moving World by the Kelenkye Band. Deano Sounds, along with Voodoo Funk’s Frank Gossner, teamed up to release the Kelenkye Band’s later material, Jungle Funk, back in 2012.

Jagger went back into the studio with a group of musicians he had played with from various points in his career to record an album of unique soca and highlife sounds. What was put down on tape was a heavy mix of percussion, striking highlife guitar lines and futuristic synth stabs with soaring African voices.

Deano Sounds and Jagger rescued the original multi-track DAT tapes that were hiding in obscurity in Ghana. Cultures of Soul invited a host of today’s best remixers to give them the freedom to create their own interpretations of the material. These producers include Berlin’s Africaine 808, Manchester’s Ruf Dug, Switzerland’s Alma Negra and New York’s Names You Can Trust.
Coming out on CD and 2LP on March 18th you can pre-order

@culturesofsoul




Tracklist

A1. Odze Odze
A2. Take Time
A3. Moko Le Dzen
A4. Kahe Odzole Oye
B1. Obleku
B2. Oblotsiri
B3. Chapter 5
C1. Odze Odze (Africaine 808 Remix)
C2. Moko Le Dzen (Ruf Dug Disco Dub)
D1. Take Time (GRC Remix)
D2. Moko Le Dzen (GRC Remix)
D3. Odze Odze (Alma Negra Remix) feat. Luca Glausen (Drums) & Samuel Sole (Bass)
Jagger Botchway is most famous for his work with the Hedzoleh Soundz and Hugh Masekela. Jagger was also the driving force behind the highly sought-after Ghanaian afro-funk masterpiece Moving World by the Kelenkye Band. Deano Sounds, along with Voodoo Funk’s Frank Gossner, teamed up to release the Kelenkye Band’s later material, Jungle Funk, back in 2012.
Jagger went back into the studio with a group of musicians he had played with from various points in his career to record an album of unique soca and highlife sounds. What was put down on tape was a heavy mix of percussion, striking highlife guitar lines and futuristic synth stabs with soaring African voices.
Deano Sounds and Jagger rescued the original multi-track DAT tapes that were hiding in obscurity in Ghana. Cultures of Soul invited a host of today’s best remixers to give them the freedom to create their own interpretations of the material. These producers include Berlin’s Africaine 808, Manchester’s Ruf Dug, Switzerland’s Alma Negra and New York’s Names You Can Trust. Coming out on CD and 2LP on March 18th you can pre-order
- See more at: http://www.culturesofsoul.com/2016/02/05/the-jagger-botchway-group-odze-odze/#sthash.HIECtYB1.dpuf
Jagger Botchway is most famous for his work with the Hedzoleh Soundz and Hugh Masekela. Jagger was also the driving force behind the highly sought-after Ghanaian afro-funk masterpiece Moving World by the Kelenkye Band. Deano Sounds, along with Voodoo Funk’s Frank Gossner, teamed up to release the Kelenkye Band’s later material, Jungle Funk, back in 2012.
Jagger went back into the studio with a group of musicians he had played with from various points in his career to record an album of unique soca and highlife sounds. What was put down on tape was a heavy mix of percussion, striking highlife guitar lines and futuristic synth stabs with soaring African voices.
Deano Sounds and Jagger rescued the original multi-track DAT tapes that were hiding in obscurity in Ghana. Cultures of Soul invited a host of today’s best remixers to give them the freedom to create their own interpretations of the material. These producers include Berlin’s Africaine 808, Manchester’s Ruf Dug, Switzerland’s Alma Negra and New York’s Names You Can Trust. Coming out on CD and 2LP on March 18th you can pre-order
- See more at: http://www.culturesofsoul.com/2016/02/05/the-jagger-botchway-group-odze-odze/#sthash.HIECtYB1.dpuf

Mar 7, 2016

From UK: No Go Stop - Agbara Orin


The mighty 12-piece No Go Stop are much more than a tribute to past glories, they are a living, breathing evocation of the life-force that is Afrobeat. Boasting an impressive repertoire of self-penned, new material, they have recently released their debut record “Agbara Orin”. Driving percussion, brass encrusted rhythms and epic instrumental solos set the pace while echoes of Old Soul from Marie Lister’s Vocals, catch the timeless quality of that ancestral funk sound. No Go Stop are truly on a mission to bring something exciting and new whilst staying true to Fela Kuti’s musical mission to present the heart of jazz with the soul of Africa and keep you dancing till dawn.

nogostop.co.uk




Tracklist

01. Agbara Orin  7:33
(M. Lister, B. Plocki, L. Treasure)
We strongly believe that if you are lucky enough to be in the position that your voice can be heard, then the words that you say must have meaning. Agbara Orin, in the Yoruba language means: 'The Power of Music'. Reaching deeply inside people and inspiring them, music must not be superficial nor cynical: It is critical that in making music we remain honest.

02. Trickster  9:27
This is our tribute to the Yoruba Orisha Eshu. This spirit of trickery leads us into temptation in the hope that we will learn and mature, but Eshu's two faces look both forwards to the spirit world and back towards the earthly. Thus split: as deity and guide of souls, but as the bringer of misfortune, these fractured intentions are reflected in this song (similarly split) between how we portray ourselves publicly in the social media and the truth of things de facto.

03. Taiyewo and Kehinde 10:14
Taiyewo and Kehinde is the story of the first ever twins. Whilst still in the womb, Kehinde instructs Taiyewo to investigate the world outside. Taiyewo is thus born as the elder of the two, and the sound of his cry informs Kehinde that the world is good and to follow.


04. Animal  6:25
It is foolish for us to presuppose that the freedom we have, so we may see it, is for granted. Countless people do not have such liberty, and both the growing politically countenanced homophobia in Russia, as well as a campaign to make homosexuality punishable by death in Uganda are incitement to write this song. Although inspired by this, the notion of prejudice, discrimination, or intolerance in any form be it in the micro or macrocosm of any society may be seen as congruent to our disquiet. 


05. My Mother, House of Tradition  14:17
This song is our tribute to the Orisha Oshun. She is the deity of love, beauty, femininity and sensuality, and she is the mother of Taiyewo and Kehinde. The vocals in this song are taken from a traditional Yoruba prayer for Oshun. This is the translation:
Iyá mi ilé orò (My Mother, House of Tradition)
Gbogbo àṣe̩ (All Powerful)
Iṣe mi sàráà máā wọ́ e̩ (my deeds of charity habitually pull you)
Yèyé orò yè o (Mother of Tradition is alive)
S̩é̩ṣé̩ ku rũrũ (Unexpectedly jumping up)
kọ́wá ni dé (she is the first to be crowned)


06. Howie Get A Life  7:38
This is a song all about not wasting your life away. Don’t stay inside playing computer games on your own and don’t waste away in an office doing something you hate. Enjoy the time you have with the people you love. In case you are worried: Howie has an excellent life with beautiful friends and an amazing job that he loves. He doesn’t have a playstation anymore.  

nogostop.bandcamp.com