Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the debut release on the label from Ghanaian vocalist and djembe drummer Afla Sackey. With his band Afrik Bawantu, he has fulfilled the dream of blending traditional Ghanaian music with sizzling Afrobeat grooves, topping it off with an irresistibly funky twist! Their unique blend of vibrant African rhythms with brisk, animated horn sections and heavy bass-lines bring a fresh perspective to the Afrobeat genre.
It’s Not Easy, the first single to be taken from their forthcoming LP, entitled Destination and due for release this summer, concerns itself not only with the trials and tribulations of life but also how we learn by living the day-to-day. It also talks about a theme that runs throughout the album – the idea of travelling the globe to broaden our horizons and help us understand how other people live their lives.
Afrik Bawantu released their debut EP, Noko Hewon, back in 2013 to much critical acclaim, and went on to be nominated in the World Music Network’s charts. In 2014 they released their debut LP, Life On The Street, which showcased the original style of Afla’s compositions, as well as his group of gifted musicians.
Afla himself was born in Ghana and started his creative life as a dancer with the country’s famous Bukom Ensemble, known for their infectious folk-driven rhythms. His elders soon soon recognised the musical potential of young Afla and encouraged him with careful guidance and training. This provided the foundations upon which Sackey has developed his career in music and dance.
Upon moving to London, which was made possible by the Kakasitsi Master Drummers Of Ghana, Afla undertook a masters degree at Guildhall college, from which he graduated in 2012. With his wealth of experience in music and dance, Afla went on to become an inspiring educator, providing workshops and training to a diverse range of students from primary schools to universities. He has taught Afrobeat and Afro Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music where he still often appears as a guest lecturer, as well as acting as a workshop facilitator in places as far flung as Japan, Singapore and Argentina.
Afla is a great collaborator, and has worked with legendary artists such as the Sun Ra Arkestra, Ginger Baker and Tony Allen, as well as his contemporary projects with Ibibio Sound Machine, Sons Of Kemet, Dele Sosimi, The Estuary 21, Eparapo and his most recent Afro-electronic project with producer Raz Olsher – Raz & Afla.
Reactions and Radio Play
Radio play from Jazz Supernova, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, Deb Grant & Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6 Music, UK), Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp Weekly), Toshio Matsuura (Tokyo Moon, Inter FM, Japan), Jazzcat (Totally Wired Radio), John Warr (Afrobase, UK), Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France), The Pressure Drop Radio Show (UK), Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK), Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany), Karl Phillips “Random Jukebox” (Source FM, Liskeard Radio), Enrique Domenech (CKUT 90.3FM, Montreal, Canada)
“Superb isn’t it?” Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“Vibrant, uplifting Afrobeat and highlife from the master of percussion!” Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“Excellent track. Will playlist on PBB Radio.” Laurent Garnier (PBB Radio, France)
Featured on Slow Grooves Playlist by The Slow Music Movement https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ydX8XUVsdznr08RfJ0MiO
Featured on the AfroVibeFusion Playlist by Groove Gallery https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QebsbkxkIbAn4uDWx2OrH
Featured on the New Sounds From Africa playlist by Roadie Music https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5L9whbFHxYsuEr9K37BJ4w
“Engages and captivates with its lively and very funky rhythm.” Roadie Music (France)
If you need a weekend livener then look no further than this Ghana vs Nigeria soundclash from Afla Sakey & his fellow funkateers, it’s a proper trip down Afro funk memory lane. The vibes are unrepentantly throwback, but when the 70s were this good & their essence captured so well I’m all in. Catch them lighting up the Slow Grooves Playlist.” The Slow Music Movement (UK)
“Wonderful – Afla has served his dues over time with his expansive and very original own band to work with others as well. Love this light touch – wonderful Airplay guaranteed.” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)
“Funky!” Llorca (Various, France)
“WOW! Not sure this can get better… Onward!” Andre Rheaume (Radio Canada, Canada)
“Another great new afro tune.” Kei Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“Firing funk for the people! Great.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“As the release notes say, Afla & Afrik Bawantu have managed to perfectly blend the sounds of Afrobeat, Ghanian and Funk in to one pulsating track!” Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK)
“Exciting Afro-funk groove!!!” Cesare Cera (Bologna Uno, Italy)
“Killer afro-funk.” DJ Lubi (Hifi Club, Leeds)
“Quality track!!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel Recordings, USA)
“So goood!” Dobromir Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“Strong piece of Ghanaian Afrobeat from the Afla Sackey crew.” John Warr (Totally Radio, UK)
“Great tune. Will support.” Jamal Ahmad (Jazz 91.9FM, USA)
“Really nice energy!” Miia Laine (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“Super groovy. Funky. Great brass. Awesome track.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Nice groove. Love the horns too. Will play out.” Paris Groovescooter (Eastside FM, Australia)
“Nice happy afro vibes for the spring season!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Nice Afro-Funk slap, the B-Boys will like this one.” Mark Neustadt (Various, Germany)
“In the bag for the weekend – great stuff.” Chris Knight (Samedi / Kilburn Garden Party, Scotland)
“Great!! Thank you!!” DJ Kid Hops (KEXP 90.3FM, USA)
“Will be playing on my “Random Jukebox” show.” Karl Philips (Source 96.1FM, UK)
“Full of sunshine and joy.” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Melbourne, Australia)
“Sounds amazing, thank you! Full support.” Enrique Domenech (Freeform, Spain)
“Wow!” Martijn Barkhuis (Jazz de Ville, The Netherlands)
“Nice one!” Junior (Eavesdrop Radio, USA)
“Banger!” Danny Pressure Drop (CJLO, Canada)
“Wow, what a great tuuune!!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Full support here.” Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3FM, USA)
“Pretty cool!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Great afro funk sound. More of this!!” Phil Grab (KPSU Radio, USA)
“Nice funky Afrobeat.” Jim McMaster (TNGC Radio, Australia)
“nice, I’ll support.” Timos Koklas (Reverb Nation, Greece)
“Excellent!” Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio Show, Ukraine)
“So good!” Renegades Of Jazz (Bathurst, Germany)
“Another Afrosoul banger.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Great groove!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Absolute Fire!” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Quality tune!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany)
“Great!!!” DJ Makala (Global Funkers, Spain)
“Wow! Them horns! tight!” Breakplus (Mythstery Records, UK)
“Fantastic rhythm!” Ivan Mera (Higher Club, Spain)
“Great to hear a new artist of this calibre! Renews the roots with integrity AND ITS FUNKY!” Derek Rath (KPFK, USA)
“Funky as!” Steve KIW (Balearic Assassins, UK)
“Sure shot. May I ask for a Nickodemus remix?” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)
“Very suitable for the Afro jazz beat dance floor.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“Funky and Africa!” Jean-Marc Baehler (Radio Couleur3, Switzerland)
“From the opening blast of horns I’m hooked. Definitely going in the bag for forthcoming DJ sets.” Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Pure Afro funk vibes, floor filler for sure.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Full joy loving this one.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)
“Nice one.” Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, Netherlands)
“What an amazing project truly wow!” Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“Very groovy.” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit Club, Slovakia)
Magic!!!!!” Frankson (Various, UK)
“Lovely energy! Great for some of our more bespoke updates.” Ollie C-Burn (C-Burn, UK)
“Classic. Straight on to the playlist!” Nigel Wood (Various, UK)
“Bumpin!” Cal Gibson (Various, UK)
“You see the name you can guarantee the quality. Sharp, sassy, eminently danceable – I’ve been loving the Raz & Afla stuff, especially Check Yourself, which has them rocking on the dancefloor, can’t wait to hit them with this one and there are some good opportunities in the coming months.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Radio edits are for Jazz FM DJs, get the full length as it’s easy to love this Afrobeat.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
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