Tunde Ayandosu This was the first of the drummers I sought out for the project Routes to Roots. Amazing bata and Iyaalu player (Large talking drum Iyaalu and smaller talking drum Gangan) It's amazing how things can just fall into place once one decides what one is going to do. When you're looking for good musicians you just need to start with One.  Know what you're looking for and he or she will lead you to the others, like a secret pathway!

Tunde Ayandosu

Taye Ajiboye

This is Taye Ajiboye An incredible Bata player from Osun State in Yorubaland. Fresh from Nigeria, after playing with the legend King Sunny Ade.  It was an honour to work with this young man. He comes from a family of Bata drummers ,who have been playing for over 400 years!!! Bata was originally played for the Alaafins (Kings ) of Yorubaland Unbelievably, the number of young people coming forward to learn this art of drumming (in Yorubaland) is diminishing rapidly mainly because of religious dogma! However in Cuba and North America it's increasing at a tremendous rate amongst men and women! Long live freedom from religious dogma!!! Ironically, these drums are played for mainly religious reasons.

Check out Alhaji 'Peri' Isola (the name given to someone who has made the Haaj-journey to Mecca) and Sulyman Ayantade. One of the baddest Sakara players around.  30 years with the amazing singer Wasiu.  Sulyman's talking drumming left me in complete awe!  Especially as he's still in his early twenties!! The sound and grooves these guys conjured up for me were totally mesmerizing!  I loved every second in that studio! Again, these drums were played mainly by the Moslem drummers.  Religion appears to be inseparable from the music!

Alhaji 'Peri' Isola and Sulyman Ayantade

Suly!!! This guy had me dancing in the studio when i should have been concentrating on the production!! I can't remember the last time I lost control of myself like that and it was pure bliss! Suly is a true Magus on that drum (the small talking drum - Gangan) Check out the tribal markings. This signifies that the man is from Iseyin. Part of the Oyo Yorubas.  That's another subject entirely! Again it was a special day indeed.

Top

Taye and Tunde Drummers extraordinaire!!

Ayo Ajana How can I not mention the Woman who brought such sweet seductive tones to the table!! Straight out of Pentacostal Church, Ayo was an inspiration.

Checkout Tom Belton Engineer

Without this man, we would never have got to first base.

Young and incredibly gifted behind any desk, Tom Belton, a logic wizard an SSL master.  Bad Cat!!

Sakara player No1 Peri Isola I f you want to hear a man talk on a drum, listen to the track Seegesi Olooya on the album Routes to Roots. Superb!!

Top

In the swing of things At a clinic performance in Cardiff this year. Sorry Paul!! I do love those Galaxy Fibre Congas!

When you're ready gents!

In the Zone - What else can I play?

Top

Copyright © 2002 - Solá Akingbolá     solasco@mac.com