Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the return of a unique collaboration between the U.K. ‘s very own Afrobeat Ambassador, Dele Sosimi, and a producer who’s been at the forefront of the South London electronic music scene for a decade now, Medlar.
The pair first joined forces seven years ago, when Medlar was asked by Dele’s label to remix the title track from his last album, You No Fit Touch Am. The result was possibly one of the most popular and cherished remixes to appear on the imprint. The producer’s respect for the history of Afrobeat shined through in the mix of course, but it was his ability to finely balance that with his house music instincts whilst adding an infectious groove and classic 80s analogue synths that really stood out.
The track was an instant classic, and it soon became clear that the Afrobeat Ambassador and Peckham producer needed to make some music together. Having never actually met during the remix process, the dating began, and luckily the two were clearly a perfect match.
Two years on from their first recorded output, the Full Moon EP – a record that received radio support from Gilles Peterson on BBC 6Music, as well as tastemakers and DJs across the globe, and was even featured on the latest edition of Grand Theft Auto -the duo return with the simultaneously poignant and bass worrying Lord Have Mercy.
“This track was inspired by the various issues we had to deal with over the last two years. Controversies, ineptitude, inconsistencies, propaganda, pain, grief, et al. ‘A word is enough for the wise.. say no more than a word to the wise’ was the loop summation that kept ringing in loud, having had to listen to anti vaxxers and pro vaxxers arguing or justifying. ‘Oh Lord have mercy’ was in response to the many that lost their lives. Friends, family, and all. Ned (Medlar) and I just made sure we found a way to transform the energies, feelings and all without censors.” Dele Sosimi
As well as Dele’s rasping vocals and synths, and Medlar’s MPC skills, Lord Have Mercy also features the sublime sax skills of Collocutor front woman and longtime member of Dele’s Afrobeat Orchestra, Tamar Osborn. The result is a serious peak time dance floor rocker – albeit one with a serious message too.
Lord Have Mercy will also be available on 12” vinyl as part of the State Of Play EP, due for release this summer.
Reactions / Radio Play
Radio play from Huey Morgan (BBC 6Music), Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music), Deb Grant (BBC 6Music), Sarah Ward (Jazz FM), Tim Garcia (Worldwide FM), Bandcamp Weekly, DJ Ritu (Resonance FM), Debbie Golt (Resonance FM), Alan McKinnon (Totally Wired Radio), Robert Luis (Unfold Radio, Totally Radio), Madera Verde (The Global Glitch, Mi-Soul Radio), Claire Umney (Melodic Distraction), John Warr (Totally Radio), Colectivo Futuro (Music Worth Sharing playlist), Bobafatt (Main Squeeze, Soho Radio), Gordon Wedderburn (Jazz In The Present Tense), DJ Bunel (Yle Radio 1 / Yle Radio Vega, Finland), Marcus Agerman Ross (Planet Yes! Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“SOME RIDDIMS!” Rob Da Bank (BBC Radio 1 / Worldwide FM)
“London born grooves stretching far and wide. Simmering with passion!” Sarah Ward (Jazz FM)
“Brilliant!” Deb Grant (BBC 6Music)
“Yes I like this funky and fresh what a great combo.” Ross Allen (NTS Radio)
“Woop!” Kate Hutchinson (Worldwide FM)
“Sounding good. Will support.” Robert Luis (Tru Thoughts)
“Ooof! That is enormous! Absolutely love that – Dele / Medlar combo works so well. Brilliant way to start the week.” Quinton Scott (Strut Records)
“You’re right. It’s a monster!” DJ Ritu (Resonance FM)
“perfect” Dean Chew (Darker Than Wax)
“Excellent!” Gordon Wedderburn (GW Jazz)
“Love Dele and this is a sure fire d-floor bomb. Big sounds, great production and funkier than a mosquitos tweeter!” Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Great!!!” Javi Frias (Scanner FM, Spain)
“Dope!” Kenny Grieve (Dixon Ave Basement Jams, Glasgow)
“Windingly brilliant” Jamie Groovement (Reform Radio)
“More top music from Dele and Medlar. Love the percussion and rhythm and then comes the great Tamar Osborn with some hot phrases. A worthy collaboration with a poetic sensibility.” John Warr (Totally Radio, Brighton)
“Super.” Frank Jensen (Soul Parlor, Germany)
“Jazzzzzy!” Charles Vaughn (Love Vinyl)
“Great collab!” Phil Wicked Jazz Sounds (Netherlands)
“Great groove!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Funky un peu trop Synthetique… mais beau vocal de Dele !!” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur3, Switzerland)
“It’s a vibe!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin, USA)
“Love the dirty sax and the off the beat rhythms – irresistible – airplay guaranteed – Can’t wait for the vinyl!” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM / Threads Radio)
“A match made in heaven! Prime time perfection” Chris Greenwood (Louie Louie, SOAS Radio, Mi-Soul)
“FUTURISTIC MAKOSSA CLASSIC ! FULL SUPPORT ON MY RADIO SHOWS STARTING RIGHT NOW” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Yep, the electronica meets afro-beat combination works it’s magic on this!” Steve Johns (Solar Radio)
“Excellent tune! Lots of interesting details in the arrangement! Will add at WRUV-FM” Jay Paul (WRUV FM, USA)
“Wow! Love the vocals, the groove, the synths and the sax on it! Love it all! Perfect dance floor filler!! Future Thinking House Music!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Radio)
“Big tune!” Chris Astrojazz (Edinburgh)
“What a joy that one is.” Dan Wesker (Detektor FM)
“Beauty” Amrisha Prashar (Radar Radio)
“Very nice, has it all in a heavy pocket.” Matt Davids (1BTN, Brighton)
“This pair are perfect together.” Asian Hawk
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