Name: Yoruba! Songs and Rhythms for the Yoruba Gods in Nigeria
Brand: Soul Jazz Records Presents

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LP-SOJR-399

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Double LP in Gatefold Sleeve. Includes 40 Page Booklet.

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2018-05-25

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Redeye

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

5026328003993

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Total Cap

Black LPx2

CD-SOJR-399

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5026328103990

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "5026328103990"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Soul Jazz Records Presents

Genre US

African

Label US

Soul Jazz Records

Japanese keyboardist, Yoshizawa Hajime, is a prominent figure in the nu-jazz movement. Born in Tokyo in 1965, he gained recognition through his collaborations with jazz drummer Peter Erskine and his involvement with bands like Mondo Grosso and Cosmic Village. With a blend of electronic soulful nu-jazz and straight-ahead jazz, Yoshizawa has released several albums under his own name as well as with Sleep Walker. His diverse range of projects showcases his talent as both a keyboard player and producer.

In addition to his work under his own name, Yoshizawa has also recorded under the moniker Electric Sheep. This experimental project explores ambient sounds and features remixes for artists such as The Jackson 5, Jazzanova, and Riviera. With influences ranging from beat-heavy sounds to more atmospheric compositions, Electric Sheep adds another layer to Yoshizawa's already impressive body of work.

Yoshizawa comes from a family deeply rooted in the arts. His father is actor Takao Yoshizawa, while his mother is former voice actress Nobuko Maki. He also has siblings involved in creative fields - playwright/director Koichi Yoshizawa and pianist Kyoko Yoshizawa. Through his musical endeavors and collaborations, Yoshizawa continues to make significant contributions to the world of jazz.

Soul Jazz Records Presents Yoruba! Songs and Rhythms for the Yoruba Gods in Nigeria. Available here on Double LP and CD.

Soul Jazz Records latest album Yoruba! Songs and Rhythms for the Yoruba Gods in Nigeria is newly recorded in Lagos, Nigeria. The album is co-produced by Soul Jazz Records label head Stuart Baker and Laolu Akins (founding member of the legendary 1970s Nigerian Afro-Funk/Rock group Blo). Yoruba! features an array of local master drummers led by Olatunji Samson Sotimirin and singers (featuring the lead vocals of Janet Olufanmilayo Abe) performing heavyweight Afro-rhythms, with talking drums, Bata and Dundun drums and a mass of percussion in these deep spiritual and sacred songs used to honour and worship the traditional and ancient Yoruba gods in Nigeria, West Africa. 

The enormous impact of Yoruba and West African music and culture is worldwide from the first Afro-centric explorations of African-American jazz musicians in the 1950s such as Art Blakey, Randy Weston and Dizzy Gillespie, the explosion of Nu Yorican Latin music in New York City starting in the 1960s Mambo, Boogaloo, Latin funk and soul - through to the sacred and powerful Afro-derived music of the religions of Santer in Cuba, Candombl in Brazil and Voodoo in Haiti, which all came into existence on account of the Atlantic slave trade which began over 400 years ago. On a wider scale West African music remains the primary root of all African-American musical forms from New Orleans jazz to Bronx rap, gospel, soul and more.

This album features songs honouring the Nigerian gods of the Yoruba traditional religion Yemoja, Obatala, Ogun, Sango and others as well as a selection of instrumental cuts focussing on the Bata and Dundun drums. The album comes complete with extensive text and photography included in the 40-page outsize booklet/gatefold double vinyl + inners showing the influence of Yoruba culture throughout the world and the social and historical context for the music contained here. Watch out for a limited edition remix of the project by Osunlade, also forthcoming on Soul Jazz Records.

LPx2 - Double LP in Gatefold Sleeve. Includes 40 Page Booklet.