Solá Akingbolá,
long-standing percussionist with the international, chart-topping band
Jamiroquai, presents a superb album of Yoruba (Nigeria) percussion. He
finds his way back to his roots exploring the unique melodies, rhythmic
structures and philosophical poetry of the Yoruba people.
“I
knew it was good when I heard a preview track on the Global Rhythm
sampler disc last month. But last night I sat down and listened to most
of Sola's "Routes to Roots."
IT IS BRILLIANT!
This album deserves much attention, in my opinion. I can't believe the
depth of expression and compositional maturity ... especially
predominately using "just" drums, percussion and vocals... It's one of
the strongest African percussion albums I've heard in decades. The
performances are spot on, the compositions are intriguing, and
production/sound engineering just enhances everything…
It has exceeded all my expectations ... and that's just with one
listening!
I'm sure subsequent hearing will reveal even more magic.”
Robert Kaye, Host of Global Rhythm’s Podcast, USA
“Although mainstream Afrobeat isn’t for everyone, Solá Akingbolá has
scored a perfect hit with his take on the genre. Frankly, this excellent
collection of songs based on traditional Nigerian drums and percussion
will blow your mind, especially if you’re expecting a slick soul/funk
hybrid along the lines of Akingbolá’s day-job band. Setting his songs to
Yoruba poetry and arranging deep layers of close-harmony vocals, he
brings the musical culture of his home coutrny into stark relief without
ever slipping into cheese Paul Simon-style Afro-rock. Genius. “
JMI, Rhythm magazine, UK
“Look before you leap, they say, but I say listen before you look. You
might not expect much if you first read that Sola Akingbola has for many
years been part of the slick soul band from London, Jamiroquai. But this
is a faithful tribute to traditional Yoruba music, and if Sola isn’t
quite as touching as a singer as some of his heroes, it’s still a
sincere and well-made album.”
Charlie Gillet, The Sound of the World, UK
“Sola Akingbola has spent the last decade drumming with Jamiroquai, but
the London-based percussionist has long had a fascination with the music
and culture of his Yoruba parents. Surprisingly, given Akingola’s day
job, Routes to Roots is not a fusion set but an album of solidly
traditional percussion built around the iyaalu, bata and sakara drums
played by a trio of authentic Yoruba musicians. Akingbola adds further
drumming and handles the bulk of the vocals, which draw knowledgeably on
the rich oral traditions of Yoruba mythology and poetry.
Although recorded in London, there’s no dilution of these ancestral
sounds to make them more palatable to the average Jamiroquai fan.
Indeed, there’s no even a trace of ‘modern’ Yoruba styles such as
highlife or juju: this is Yoruba music more or less as you might hear it
in a Nigerian village. At first, the endless percussion can sound
repetitious but you’re swiftly drawn in: each of these 11 pieces is
quite different in structure, and informative liner notes explain the
various aspects of divination, ritual and Ifa philosophy that underpin
them. The chants lean towards the sturdy rather than the overtly
melodic, although occasionally – as on ‘Seegesi Olooya’ and ‘Kulumbu
Yeye’, both of which are praise songs to the goddess Osun – a sudden
uplifting chorus bursts forth and then tantalisingly falls away again.
This gives the record a pleasing ebb and flow, and coupled with its
unadorned authenticity, makes for compelling listening. Quite what
Jamiroquai fans will make of it is another matter.”
Nigel Williamson, Songslines magazine, UK
“…finding it so beautiful…”
Giovanni Pietro Scazzola, Radio Gold Populare Network, Italy
“Solá
Akingbolá's album is one of the best albums ever released on ARC in my
opinion.”
Mark Ringwood, Roots Around the World, Spirit FM, UK
“…the
music of Sola Akingbola is, in my opinion, the expression of his people,
the soul of his people. A great album, surely.”
Serge Warin, Radio Canal Bleu, France
”You
won’t find a single note of guitar on this disc. In fact, other than the
talking drums, batas, sakaras, bembes, and other hand drums and
percussion there is only Akingbolá and other vocalists singing in a
language that you probably will not understand (though English
translations of many lyrics are provided in the detailed and highly
informative liner notes). But the language that you will understand—at
least if you have an open mind and listen carefully—is the universal
language of rhythm. Here, vocalist and percussionist Akingbolá—a member
of the U.K.-based group Jamiroquai—leads an ensemble of master drummers
and other singers through 11 amazing pieces that are based on
traditional Yoruban rhythms and melodies, but present them in exciting
new ways. This beautifully recorded album not only offers ingress into
one of the world’s deepest and most spiritual drumming traditions, it is
great fun to jam along with, and will provide discerning musicians with
a wellspring of inspirational opportunities.”
Barry Cleveland, Guitar Player Magazine, USA
“Solá
Akingbolá is a world renowned percussion player who has supported the
likes of Jamiroquai and Bjork. His latest album, Routes to Roots draws
heavily on Yoruba folk culture from Nigeria providing meaning with every
beat. Having tribal connotations it has spiritual overtones which are
present in all of the tracks. Routes to Roots is a journey into African
heritage with rhythmic beats and strong choral vocals, definitely worth
taking the journey to discover your roots.”
Steve Phillips, Play Radio, UK
“Solá
Akingbolá, percussionist of Jamiroquai, raved about by Jay Kay, is
turning back to his roots. He was born in Nigeria, of the Yoruba people,
who are renowned for their drumming. The Yoruba express their
religiosity and spirituality through their drums. And you can feel that
connection in the drumming and singing of Solá and his companions who
almost advance into “higher spheres”. “Routes to Root” is an album that
will not let you sit still. And one thing is confirmed here: Solá is a
master of his genre.”
C.S. for Neue Szene Augsburg, Germany
translation by D.H, ARC Music
“Hooked
by the first few infectious bars, this CD was a joy to listen to. In
fact "joy" was one of the words I jotted down while I was listening,
along with "Poetry, grace and respect for tradition," the latter being a
hallmark of ARC releases. With rhythms so seductive, why fight it? To be
still through these tracks would be unnatural. Clarity of sound and
great vocals compliment the great percussion.
If the beats are talking to us, there's definitely music in the words:
just the sound of the language is musical. The lyrics are fascinating
though, so it's great to have the translations in the ARC notes which,
as ever, are an essential part of the enjoyment of the music.”
Alice Boden, Lochbroom FM, UK
“…earthy Nigerian drum-scapes from Jamiroquai percussionist Solá
Akingbolá.”
Adam Budofsky, Drummer Magazine, USA
“A listener even called in to comment on how refreshing the Sola
Akingbola sounded. Thanks for offering such great music.”
Pamela Brown, KALW FM, Africa Mix, USA
GERMAN LANGUAGE
„Auf dieser CD hören Sie keinen einzigen Gitarrenton. Sie hören außer
dem Gesang von Akingbolá und anderen Sängern in einer Sprache, die Sie
wahrscheinlich nicht verstehen werden (in dem detaillierten und sehr
informativen CD-Booklet sind englische Übersetzungen vieler Liedertexte
zu finden) nur Talking-Drums, Batas, Sakaras, Bembes, andere
Handtrommeln und Perkussion. Die Sprache, die Sie jedoch verstehen
werden (wenn Sie unvoreingenommen und genau hinhören) ist die
universelle Sprache des Rhythmus. Der Sänger und Perkussionist Akingbolá,
ein Mitglied der aus Großbritannien stammenden Gruppe Jamiroquai, führt
hier ein Ensemble von Meister-Trommlern und anderen Sängern durch 11
fantastische Stücke, die auf traditionellen Yoruba-Rhythmen und -Melodien
basieren, die er jedoch auf eine neue, fesselnde Weise präsentiert.
Dieses hervorragend aufgenommene Album gewährt einem nicht nur Zugang zu
den ältesten und spirituellsten Trommel-Traditionen, sondern es macht
auch Spaß, dazu zu jammen, und es ist für anspruchsvolle Musiker eine
Quelle der Inspiration.“
Barry Cleveland, Guitar Player Magazine, USA
„Meiner
Meinung nach ist Solá Akingbolás Album eines der besten Alben, die
bisher bei ARC veröffentlicht wurden.“
Mark
Ringwood, Roots Around the World, Spirit FM, UK
„Solá
Akingbolá, der Perkussionist von Jamiroquai, von dem Jay Kay in den
höchsten Tönen schwärmt, geht mit dem vorliegenden Album zurück zu
seinen Wurzeln. Geboren in Nigeria entstammt er dem Volk der Yoruba, die
bekannt für ihre Trommelkünste sind. Mit ihrer Musik bringen die Yoruba
ihre Religiosität und Spiritualität zum Ausdruck. Und in der Tat spürst
Du die innige Verbundenheit, mit der Solá und seine Mitstreiter trommeln
und mit ihren Gesängen fast schon in andere Sphären vorstoßen. Dennoch
ist „Routes To Roots“ auch ein Album, bei dem man ganz nebenbei auch mit
dem Fuß dazu wippen kann. Und eines ist soweiso klar, Solá ist ein
Meister seines Fachs.“
C.S,
Neue Szene Augsburg, Germany
