An extraordinary lineup of musicians has been assembled for the first single ‘Ilé (Iyesa)’ from Phil Dawson ٤-tet’s forthcoming ‘Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time’ album. Nigerian, Brazilian and contemporary UK jazz influences are seamlessly submerged into a deeply spiritual Afro-Brazilian song that is as funky and cosmically immersive as Airto Moreira’s 70s experiments. And what an ensemble this is!
Phil Dawson is a UK guitarist, composer and bandleader who has worked with African musical giants such as Hugh Masekela, Tony Allen, Mulatu Astatke, Osibisa and Dele Sosimi as well as with London’s sublime cultural blenders Lokkhi Terra (whose label Funkiwala is the home for this project).
Dele, Phil & Biola
The single is a collaboration with both Dele and Biola Dosunmu (Estuary 21, Fatai Rolling Dollar), their authoritative vocals a beautifully fluid male/female dance in Yoruba. The celebrated British flautist Rowland Sutherland (Jazz Warriors, Airto Moreira, Mistura) adds his powerful storytelling melodies over a heavyweight Brazilian rhythm section of Marius Rodrigues and Matheus Nova as well as the brilliant London-based Italian percussionist Maurizio Ravalico: Afrobeat and ancestral Brazilian rhythms interweaving as though born to the same mother. To top off this insane collection of musicians, the horn section is made up of T&L favourites Nick Walters, Justin Thurgur and Tamar Collocutor!
“‘Ilé (Iyesa)’ is a unique combination of Nigerian and Brasilian vibes, although we’ve chosen the Spanish word for the rhythm (Ijexa) which is usually dedicated to the Orishas Shango (Xango) and Ogun (Ogum.) The Yoruba lyrics tell a philosophical story around getting the hard work in while we’re young, using allegories like growing yam and plantain.”
‘Ilé (Iyesa)’ released on October 4th 2024
Album released on November 29th 2024