Afrobeat ambassador Dele Sosimi’s new album has been recorded and produced with Essex musician Sam Duckworth, aka Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly; and a team of specially assembled musicians under the banner of “The Estuary 21” – with the name of the nearby river and the year, being a clue to future Confluence projects. Recorded over a multitude of sessions in 2021, this new set of songs flow with the sounds of Afrobeat, jazz, and worldly pop, and feelings of freedom, strength, and collaborative dynamism as a balm for life changing events. Announcing the album is double single release ‘Ride Out The Storm’ and ‘Mo Se Bo La Tan’.
Dele explains “Mo Se Bo La Tan is an acceptance and acknowledgement of our individual creativity, shining through in spite of the vicissitudes of life, whilst ‘Ride Out The Storm’ affirms the same”. Sam adds “It started off as a late-night jam between Dele and I, Callum and Phil. It flowed naturally as a middle ground between our individual projects. we wanted something that sounded like us as well as experiencing the magic of the new”.
Dele and Sam were introduced at Felabration 2012, the annual commemoration of the music of Fela Kuti, and promised to work together in the near future. With many live collaborations, at Afrobeat Vibration, Kentish Town Forum and lots of hanging out and mutual love, nearly ten years passed before the two musicians connected in Sam’s hometown of Southend-On-Sea in a post-lockdown creative boom, recording the album over a burst of week-long sessions in 2021. The Estuary 21 band is completed by Callum Green (The Sleeping Souls/GCWCF), Philip Van Den Brandeler (Pocket Dragon/GCWCF), Pete Fraser (The Pogues, Field Music), Afla Sackey (Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu/Ibibio Sound Machine), Aby Dosunmu (Dele Sosimi), Sam Ewens (Myles Sanko) with special guest appearances from Sam Eagle and Essex Percussion legend, Snowboy.
Born in Hackney, East London, but soon to return to his parents’ native Nigeria at the age of four, Dele Sosimi was schooled and raised in Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s commune (which he now refers to as his university of life). After Fela’s passing in 1997, Dele went on to focus on developing his solo career and, honing his creative talents, and with much patience on his part, carved out his own Afrobeat crown. His last album, ‘You No Fit Touch Am’ (2015), was a critical success with Songlines writing “Afrobeat will never die so long as Dele’s around”, Clash declaring it “blistering Afro-funk from a true legend”, The Quietus calling it “so fresh, while staying true to the template”, and David Hutcheon’s four star Mojo review said it was “a deeper, moodier collection than other Shrine veterans have released lately”.
A veteran at 36 years old, Sam Duckworth has been releasing music as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly for half of his life. A catalogue that includes four top 40 singles, two top 40 albums (including the gold certified ‘Chronicles of A Bohemian Teenager’ that recently celebrated its 15th anniversary), a German club number 1 single and collaborations with artists ranging from Shy FX, Baaba Maal, Lily Allen and Jehst. Recently, Duckworth produced Benjamin Frances Leftwich’s album ‘To Carry A Whale’ and has been working on the forthcoming album by Kate Nash.
Radio Play & Reactions
Playlisted on BBC 6Music & Jazz FM (A-list) with radio play from Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music), Lauren Laverne (BBC Music Breakfast Show – New Music Fix Track Of The Day), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Guy Garvey (BBC 6 Music), Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Don Letts (BBC 6 Music), Gideon Coe (BBC 6 Music), Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music), Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM), Nigel Williams (Jazz FM), Chris Gilvear (Jazz FM), Jamie Crick (Jazz FM), Bandcamp Weekly, RTÉ 2XM, RBB Radioeins, The Late Lab (Jazz FM), Radio Grenoullie, Debbie Golt (Resonance FM), Jazzcat (On The Right Track, Ness Radio), Max Reinhardt (Soho Radio), Magnificent Biscuits Radio Show (Soul Roots Radio), Mwalimu Express (Soho Radio), Vision On Music (1BTN), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired Radio), Jason Pulaski (KUCI 88.9FM), Toshio Matsuura (Inter FM, Tokyo), Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves), Dan Digs (WNXP 91.1FM, USA), John Gilbreath (KEXP, USA), Nova Lyon (France), Mi-Soul (UK), The Playlist Show (BBC 6Music), Rosie Kendrick (WCR FM), DJ Aja (Ketch A Vibe)
“”Absolutely adore this track … Dele’s got a new album coming out called The Confluence on WahWah45s.. Cannot wait to hear the rest of that… I absolutely love this track, and I hope you do too… Definitely gonna give that another spin… I’m very excited about that… I’m getting like Zero 7 vibes!” Lauren Laverne (BBC 6 Music) on ‘Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán’
“Brings lush jazz and global pop inflections to his trademark Afrobeat fusions.” Olivia Cheves, DJ Mag
“Special… A really great new track he’s got out on Wah Wah 45s.” Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music) on ‘Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán’
“A sultry soul blues stroll… a soothing blast of uplifting reassurance (with) exquisite Cuban jazz swing. Uncluttered, honest and refreshing.” Backseat Mafia
“It’s fresh and brilliant and exciting.. Brilliant!” Guy Garvey (BBC 6 Music)
“Something special.. an exclusive first play of a brand new single from the Afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi.. it’s produced by Sam Duckworth AKA singer-songwriter Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.. and it’s featuring a group of musicians they’re calling The Estuary 21… pulling in elements of Afrobeat, jazz and pop, and you’ll hear all of that on this wonderful track…We’re looking forward to an album from that wonderful collaboration. It’s gonna be coming out on Wah Wah 45s.. love that first track.. looking forward to the rest..” Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2) on ‘Ride Out The Storm’
“Dele Sosimi.. A total music legend!” Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music) on ‘Ride Out The Storm’
“That’s the latest on the great Wah Wah 45s imprint!” Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music) on ‘Ride Out The Storm’
“Great! Terrific track. Love the Ride Out The Storm Track!” Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM) on ‘Ride Out The Storm’
“Something very cool, very chill.” – Chris Hawkins (BBC 6 Music) on ‘Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán’
“Coming up I’ve got a track which I’ve openly stolen from Robbie Vincent last weekend, and I heard it and thought ‘that’s great, I’ll put that on the Breakfast Show’.” – Nigel Williams (Jazz FM)
“Absolutely love both songs!” Ashley Beedle (Black Science Orchestra, UK)
“This is fantastic.” Juergen Jazzanova (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)
“<3” Thristian (Global Roots, Rinse FM)
“Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán has definitely got a Zero 7 feel about it….really nice.” Kev Beadle (Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“Cool tracks!” DJ Angola (Various, USA)
“On first hearing i don’t think you could guess who this is” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)
“The band imposed their unique style and left the sometimes stereotype afro beat cliche. Very laid-back but although dynamic and powerful. Will give it a spin right away in my next show!” Oliver Korthals (Mojo Club, Germany)
“Enjoying the vibe, will play on my show tomorrow.” Jason Pulaski (KUCI 88.9FM, USA)
“Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán sounds like an anthem for freedom.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“A fantastic, well-balanced blend.” Chris Greenwood (Mi-Soul Radio, UK)
“Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán is such a beauty of a song!” David Hanke (Renegades Of Jazz, Germany)
“Oh my days! On air this week. Cannot wait for the album.” Olgierd (Sofa Surfing, Poland)
“I’ll play Ride Out The Storm for sure!!” Cesare Cera (Radio Bologna Uno, Italy)
“MissPrebo Show love this voluptuous storm. Sweetness and reverie guaranteed with these two songs.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krim, France)
Jon Freer review:
Dele Sosimi & the Estuary 21 – The Confluence – Wah Wah 45s
“Beautiful vibes!” DJ Junior (Record Break-in’, USA)
“Always wicked stuff from your amazing label. Spiritual thoughts to this beauty songs. Each song are Power and Energy.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Wow!” Martijn Barkhuis (Jazzrdeville, Netherlands)
“Very good tunes ready to be aired on Ibiza airwaves and online.” Daniel Peñacoba (Pure Ibiza Radio, Ibiza)
“Brilliant!” Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio, Ukraine)
“Pure Afro tingled niceness! Mo Se is the one for me.” Tom Wieland (Free Soul, Austria)
“Two absolutely wonderful tracks. Love the cover art too.” Bob Hill (Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“Brilliant!!!!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Two nice tunes from Dele Sosime & The Estuary 21!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z, Germany)
“Fluent fusion between afrobeat, jazz and pop, soothing warmness with organic sounds and sensitivity… Like it!” Stephane (Radio Grenouille, France)
“Outstanding!” Dave Bassin (KUSF Radio, USA)
“Warming afro-influenced sounds. Both tracks are equally as good as each other.” Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK)
“Dope tunes!” KillAudio (KillaCast, Belgium)
“Loving this release.” Jon Brent (Dusk Dubs, UK)
“An easy and breezy jazz rhythm from the Afrobeat luminary.” Dan Digs (WNXP 91.1FM, USA)
“well done mates.” Lorenzo Aldino (Royal Plastic Radio Show, Ibiza)
“Solid grooves, 10/10” Ed (Deep South Sounds, UK)
“STRAIGHT TO MY DAILY MORNIG RADIOSHOW PLAYLIST.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Can’t wait for the whole album.” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit Club, Slovakia)
“Brilliant, love the tunes!” Nicole Finnerty (Kane FM, UK)
“Sweet.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Fantastic to see Dele back on the label, both tracks are heavy hitters, will be supporting!!” Alan O’Malley (RTE Pulse, Ireland)
“Very smooth! Very fresh. Going to be playing it a lot!!” Mate (Radio Agora, Austria)
“Lovely tunes! Will definitely get some radio play.” Jason Palma (Footprints, Canada)
“Keep producing quality Afrojazz beats ,ears love it.” Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“Masterpiece!!!” Tony Heynen (Global Rhythms, Belgium)
“Nice track. I will use it, thanks!!!” Timos Nokias (Reverb Nation, Greece)
“Can’t wait for the album!!” Dobromir Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)
“Wouldn’t expect anything else from Mr Sosimi.” Dave Koor (Albert’s Favourites, UK)
“Nice.” Tom Strauch (Switchstance Recordings, Germany)
“Lovely!” Jon Freer (Various, UK)
“Cool ones.” Tjerk (Armada Music, Netherlands)
“YES PLEASE!!! Love this! Will spin tomorrow on Soho Radio.” DJ Kobayashi (Batov Records, UK)
“Stunnishing!!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany)
“Beautiful grooves.” Mister Shiver (Various, UK)
“Ride Out The Storm so groovy! Love it!” Miia Laine (Various, S. Korea)
“Great track.” Susan Schwartz (Platinum Rye, UK)
“I love everything Dele does and this is no exception!” Mr Lob (Various, Australia)
“Always the dopest.” Asian Hawk (Various, UK)
“Cool.” Seb (Radio Krimi, France)
“Fire!” Roshan Ram (Guestlist.net, UK)
“Wisdom through music!! Amazing tracks again from Mighty Sosimi. Joining forces this time with great producer Get Cape and the music enssemble “The Estuary 21″. Brilliant! Can’t wait to listen to the full album.” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Podcasts, Spain)
“Killer slinky vibe on these track Very unique sound.” Paul Knight (Reform Radio, UK)
“Relaxed and jazzy.” Jean Marc Baehler (Radio Television Suisse, Switzerland)
“This flows along most beautifully. We totally dig this gorgeousness !” Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“Perfekt Jazz Feeling.” Rino Spaddavecchia (Hear Dis, Germany)
“Great.” Jim Wood (8 Track Music, UK)
“Old and new school Afrobeat merge in style.” Derek Rath (KPFG, USA)
“Great – will play.” DJ Lamp (Coalition, UK)
“Dele nevers fails to deliver his unique sound. This is another quality’ offering.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán feels like one of those rare tunes to finish a truely special clubnight. Lighters, kissing, hugs, smiles…” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)
“Cool, very cool.” Sista Selecta (2Bob Radio, Australia)
“Interesting. Poppier than I’m used to from Dele. But feels like a grower.” Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Really nice Afro sounds!” Ivan Cera (Higher Street Radio, Spain)
“Wicked.” Jim (1Station FM, UK)
“Trust Wah Wah 45s to try the unthinkable – and get it spot on! The legend of Afrobeat, Dele Sosimi has got together with Sam Duckworth (the youger version of Sam was Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly) so as to produce the Essex estuary sound as “The Estuary 21”. This is no Barking Riverside project as both tracks on the single, ‘Ride Out The Storm’ and ‘Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán’ are both cool examples of modern pop meets soul.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
“Ace.” Tobi Kirsch (Faze, Germany)
“That’s a very attractive deep groove going on. Love the vocal hooks and low-key dance rhythm patterns of both tunes here, hard to decide if one’s better than the other as both have good initial impact so I’ll go with Mo Se B’ola Tan as I don’t have a clue what it means but it sounds nice.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
Reviews
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