Ogún Afrobeat – Unite (2021)
Ogún Afrobeat is a fantastic multinational Afrobeat band based in the Madrid melting pot led, by Nigerian vocalist and drummer Akindimeji “Akin” Onasanya. Although Afrobeat is still the core sound of the band, on its new album “Unite”, Ogún Afrobeat has added a captivating mix of irresistible Afro-Cuban influences, beautiful Ethiopian vocals and melodies, highlife, African American funk, edgy jazz fusion and Middle Eastern influences. Vocals are in Yoruba, English, and Spanish.
Unite features special guests, including acclaimed Nigerian Afrobeat vocalist and keyboardist Dele Sosimi; Cuban singers Alejandro Gutiérrez and Carla Vicens; Spanish woodwind maestro Javier Paxariño; and Iranian multi-instrumentalist Kaveh Sarvarian.
The lineup includes Akindimeji Onasanya on drums, vocals; Pablo Hernández Ramos on alto sax; Frank Santiuste on trumpet; Costanzo Laini on baritone sax; Marcos Ortega on trumpet; Roberto Lorenzo Elekes on trombone; Carlos Leal on guitars; Denis Bilanin on keyboards; Enzo Apicella on bass; and Shango Dely on percussion.
Guests: Alejandro Gutiérrez on vocals; Karla Vicens on vocals; Sara Habasha on vocals; Javier Paxariño on solo flute, piccolo; Kaveh Sarvarian on tombak, flute, ney; Raquel Montes, Luis Regidor, Cris López, and Adrian Garzia on backing vocals.
Ogún Afrobeat’s Unite is a powerful, invigorating, colorful and deeply satisfying album, an excellent boundary-blurring world music album.
The album is available from ogunafrobeat.bandcamp.com
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.