Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the new single 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.
Mofeemo Ke Eno, talks about jealousy, but in keeping with Afla’s style, from a positive viewpoint, as the man himself explains:
“Every human being came to this world with their different destinies. So never want to be someone else, as their destiny is different from yours and never get jealous about someone’s progress as tomorrow will be your turn.”
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 & Radio Play
Radio play from Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music), DJ Ritu (Resonance FM), Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
Featured in Apple New Music Daily and Afro-Folk playlists
“Sounding good.” Rob Luis (Tru Thoughts, UK)
“So good!” Quinton Scott (Strut Records, UK)
“So, so funky!” Dean Chew (Darker Than Wax, Singapore)
“I am puttin the radio edit simply because that is what I will play on Resonance FM this week because of time …. but the full length is superb and I will put that in the next Threads Radio show . I like the feeling of laid back time that Afla has long rceated and the fusion of Ghana and Brazil Was gutted to miss the launch – I hope there’s another opportunity soon – Blessings to Afla and thank you to Wah Wah 45s for giving him this long necessary break!!” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM / Threads, UK)
“The sound is afro soulful and wonderful.” Kei Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“HORNS ARE ON FIRE! LOVIN’ THIS GROOVE!” Ash Selector (Solar Radio, UK)
“Great track!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“Cool afrobeat and good breakout in the middle. Excellent.” John Warr (Totally Radio, UK)
“Excellent!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Nice upbeat vibe ready for those summer outdoor parties!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Magnifique !!!! énorme.” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Perfect, can’t wait for the album.” Rado Tomek (Nu Spirit Club, Slovakia)
“Great single! Looking forward for the album!” Skevitz (Radio Campas Lille, France)
“Heat!” Mattieu Schreyer (KCRW, USA)
“Super funky ! Radio support on my shows.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“A lovely Afrobeat workout.” Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK)
“Joyous! Just wonderful.” Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz, UK)
“OH LALA!!! This is what I was looking for- what a groove- full sunshine. Love it- send more!” Andre Rheahume (Various, Canada)
“Alfa is bringing that juice!” DJ Doric (RTR FM, Australia)
“Great tune!!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Nice fat sounds!” Phil Gray (KPSU, USA)
“Stunning rhythms and vocals.” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Australia)
“Booomb!” Dob Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“A tight propulsive groove for the ages.” Derek Rath (KPFK, USA)
“Wicked funky afro groove!” Jason Palma (Footprints, Canada)
“More fire!” Chris Knight (Kilburn Garden Party, Scotland)
“Great cut. Delightfully funky and infectious groove.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Great song!” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Love this!” Ben Smith (Echo Empire, UK)
“More firepower sounds for the discerning dancefloor!” Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Amazing!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Podcasts, Spain)
“Cool.” Isao Yoshimi (Various, Japan)
“Fantastic summer groove on this one!!” Marky Mark Johnson (1BTN, UK)
“Nice one.” Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“Wicked!” Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves, UK)
“Nice one!” Junior (Record Breakin, USA)
“Summer groove!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Nice guitar licks.” Chris Greenwood (Mi-Soul, UK)
“Nice one!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Works for me, album should be a good ear outing.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“Delight for my ears, stunning.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Keep these coming! Loving it” Steve KIW (We Are Love, UK)
“Love these guys.. they the truth.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)
“Beautiful drum, horn and guitar lines and the vocals are just wow!” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Australia)
“Will be playing on my “Random Jukebox” show.” Karl Phillips (Source 96.1FM, UK)
“Lovely!” Cal Gibson (Various, UK)
“Compelling …great groove.” Nigel Wood (Various, UK)
“Woah, this hits the ground running far more than any current political leader would have you believe – beat-strong, bubbling bass and flying horn sounds run us into the melliflouous vocal performance. Tight playing, top-quality musicianship and an iron-rod leading the rhythm – it’s a definite win-win.” Drummie Dave (The Crescent York, UK)
“So Wah Wah 45s now sounding more like Soundway… With his band Afrik Bawantud Afla himself was born in Ghana andanaian vocalist and djembe drummer Afla Sackey started out as a dancer with the the Bukom Ensemble; just when I pull out Oscar Sulley’s ‘Bukom Mashie’ [Soundway 2004]for the Chilled Cider festival, 1970s Ghanian fusion sounds just as good in 2024.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.