Title: Áfríkà Rising
Artist: Tosin Aribisala
Label: Ropeadope
Formats: CD, Digital
Release date: June 22, 2018
Nigerian composer, vocalist and percussionist Tosin Aribisala has very wide-ranging musical interests that cross multiple genres. As a young boy his initiation to music came via his father’s record collection, where he found inspiration in albums by jazz drummer Art Blakely and the “master drummer of Afrobeat” Tony Allen. Following his passion in Nigeria had its limitations, however, since neither American jazz nor drum sets were not popular in the country at that time. After relocating to the U.S., Tosin made a name for himself as a versatile percussionist who can add that “special something”—namely the complex polyrhythms of African grooves—via his drum set. Those who have benefited from his talents include musicians ranging from Taj Mahal and Spyro Gyra to Fatoumata Diawara and Femi Kuti, a testament to his ability to bridge the music of two continents.
Tosin’s latest release, Áfríkà Rising, likewise draws from both North American and Africa traditions. In May 2017, he returned to his roots in Lagos, Nigeria, recording half of the album live with a group of young musicians including guitarist Biodun Kuti (currently touring with Paul Simon), bass player Kayode Kuti (formerly with Fela Kuti’s Egypt80), keyboardist Oluwadamilare Akinyede, and drummer Michael Oloyede (NNB/Native Brains), plus a horn section and background vocalists. Songs from this set include the R&B influenced “Jayesimi” that calls for an end to deception and illusions, the exploratory jazz track “Sunday Evening Mood,” and the grooving funk tune “Bekun Pe” featuring Samson Olawale on congas. Tosin’s vocal contributions come to the fore on the Afro-jazz track “Asiko”:
The remaining songs were recorded primarily in Maryland, and on this half of the album Tobin leads a group of American and Nigerian musicians through songs centered on “hope, love and human realities.” A highlight is without a question the title track, “Afrika Rising,” a tour-de-force of polyrhythmic layered percussion and funky horns with a female backing chorus and sizzling guitar solo by Olakunle Afolabi. The album concludes with “Meje Meje,” an upbeat, celebratory song featuring Canadian pop singer Sarah Melody.
On Áfríkà Rising, Tosin Aribisala shares music composed over the last five years, performed as an intricate fusion of Afrobeat, jazz, funk and R&B by musicians from two continents.
Reviewed by Brenda Nelson-Strauss