Branches of the Same Tree (Cumbancha, 2015)
Cumbancha made a great choice by signing Afro-Roots singer-songwriter. He’s a Los Angeles-based Ghanaian artist that has been creating outstanding music for years. At last, he’s going to get the international recognition he deserves.
Afro-Roots is a term used by Dawuni. His style is a mix of roots reggae and African music styles such as Afrobeat. On Branches of the Same Tree you’ll find mostly roots reggae. While many other current reggae acts inject their music with pop, dub and other influences, Dawuni mixes reggae with soul much like Bob Marley used to do.
Branches of the Same Tree features memorable, sing-along catchy songs. Although I’ve been very critical of pop albums marketed as world music, Rocky Dawuni’s accessible songs are loaded with reggae and Afrobeat rhythms so there is total legitimacy here.
Even though most of the album heads in a reggae direction, Dawuni includes a fabulous Afrobeat piece titled ‘The Sign’ and two beautiful acoustic reggae-folk songs: ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Island Girl.’
“Branches of the Same Tree was inspired by the songs and melodies I have heard over the years during my travels. It contains snippets of my personal observations of various cultures and global musical developments,” reveals Dawuni. “When we recognize we are all branches of the same tree we begin to see our common roots. This is the cornerstone of true Oneness.”
The album’s first single, “African Thriller” was recorded in Ghana and Los Angeles. It includes celebrated trumpeter Osei Tutu (Hedzole, Edikanfo, Ebo Taylor), CC Frank on drums (Fela Kuti) and Dean Gant (Anita Baker, Outkast) on keyboards.
The lineup on Branches of the Same Tree includes Rocky Dawuni on lead and backing vocals, Edward Dixon on drums, Mark Sims on bass, Brian Jordan on guitars, Michael Hyde on keyboards and drums, John Prpich on mandolin, Khalil Cummings on percussion:, Anthony Brewster on backing vocals and keyboard overdubs, Swan Montgomery on backing vocals, Damon Aaron on guitars, Ijeoma Njaka on backing vocals, Samini on vocals, CC Frank on drums, Alhajy Ibrahim on bass, Ackah Blay on rhythm guitar, Akwasi Dankwah on tenor guitar, Sunday Olajuyin on percussion, Edward Osei Tutu on trumpet, Emmanuel Ayeetey on trombone, Dessy D’Lauro on backing vocals, Dean Gant on synth bass and keyboard overdubs, Rock Deadrick on drums, Sam Wright on guitars, Ronnie McQueen on bass, DJ Drez on turntables, CC White on backing vocals, Tony Chin on guitars, Manas Itiene on drums, Leon Mobley on percussion, John Mcknight on keyboards, trombone and guitars, Randal Fisher on saxophone, Steve White on trumpet, Adam Topol on drums, Tom Freund on bass, ukulele, pump organ and guitars, Kandace Lindsey on backing vocals, and Oneko Arika recites dub poetry.
Branches of the Same Tree is undoubtedly one of the best reggae releases of 2015.
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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.
