Awale Jant Band – Yewoulen – Wake Up (ARC Music, 2020)
Awale Jant Band is a great London-based Afro-Funk band led by Senegalese singer-songwriter Biram Seck and French guitarist Thibaut Remy. The group skillfully combines Senegalese traditions, funk, soul and Latin American rhythms.
On Yewoulen you’ll find a formidable rhythm section featuring traditional Senegalese sabar drums, drum set and bass along with a powerful brass section and creative guitar lines. Biram Seck has an engaging, soulful voice that he uses to deliver lead and overdubbed backing vocals; he sings in Wolof, English and French.
Vocalist Biram Seck was born in Dakar. He is the son of a gawlo (story-teller and musician). Biram’s father played the xalam, a West African string instrument. Biram acquired his ability to tell stories from his father at an early age.
Awale Jant Band: Biram Seck (Senegal) on vocals; Thibaut Remy (France) on guitar, Moog, organ and piano; Kevin Toublant (UK) and Michael Idowu (Nigeria) on bass; Ben Brown (UK) on drums; Kaw Secka (Senegal and Gambia) on sabar drums and tama (talking drum); Medoune Ndiaye (Senegal) on sabar drums; John Martin (UK) on saxophone; and Laurence Wilkins (UK) on trumpet.
Guests: Joe Auckland on trumpet; Bern Somers on tenor saxophone; Harry Greene on baritone saxophone; Bob Dowell on trombone; Ed Rieband on trombone; Jozef Berk on timbales and congas; Gareth Locklane on flute; Aaron Liddard on baritone saxophone; Dominic Ntoumos on trumpet.
Buy Yewoulen – Wake Up from Amazon.com. Buy Yewoule from Amazon UK.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.