Soothsayers (band)

Last updated

Soothsayers
Also known asSoothsayers and the Red Earth Collective
Origin United Kingdom
Genres Reggae, Dub, Afrobeat, Funk, Jazz
Years active1998–present
LabelsWah Wah 45s, Red Earth Records
Members
  • Robin Hopcraft
  • Idris Rahman
  • Kodjovi Kush
  • Julia Biel
  • Patrick Illingworth
  • Kishon Khan
  • Phil Dawson
  • Patrick Hatchett
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Soothsayers [1] are a London-based band who perform and record original Afrobeat and reggae-influenced music. Formed in 1998 by saxophonist Idris Rahman and trumpeter Robin Hopcraft, they have released five studio albums and a number of vinyl singles on their own label Red Earth Records. [2]

Contents

Band history

The Soothsayers' first album, Lost City, was released in 2000. The band spent their formative years performing in south London venues and developing a compositional style influenced mainly by the music of South African township musicians such as Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela, and instrumental reggae artists such as Tommy McCook and the Skatalites. The album includes the song "Follow Your Path", which features Nigerian singer/musician Adesose Wallace and shows how the band developed their own version of Afrobeat, which would become an important feature of their later work. Lost City also features South African guitarist Lucky Ranku, as well as many London-based musicians who became part of the Soothsayers collective. [3] [4]

Their second album, Tangled Roots, was released in 2005 and was more Afrobeat inspired. It featured collaborations with Keziah Jones, Adesose Wallace, Maxi Jazz and Netsayi Chigwendere. Rahman and Hopcraft wrote, produced and mixed this album. It was a more studio-produced album than Lost City and represented a step forward in the pair's quest to combine elements of Afrobeat groove and melody with dub production and sound. [5] [6] Soothsayers released the track 'Blinded Souls' from this album as a ten-inch vinyl single, with remixes by Quantic and Mad Professor.

The third studio album One More Reason, was released in 2009 (under the name 'Soothsayers and the Red Earth Collective'). It featured a collection of reggae veterans such as Johnny Clarke, Michael Prophet and Linval Thompson. This album was the first to be mixed by London reggae producer and DJ Manasseh. It was also the first album to feature the harmonic vocal style that has since become an important feature of the band's sound. [7]

Their fourth album, Red Earth Dub, was released in 2010. It was a collection of dubs and remixes by Manasseh, which also included two new compositions created in collaboration with Manasseh. [8]

Their fifth album, Human Nature, was released in 2012. At the time of its creation, Soothsayers had fully developed their own three-part harmony vocal style (featuring the voices of Rahman, Hopcraft and younger band member Julia Biel) which had become an integral part of the sound of the music. The music, while still fundamentally inspired by dub, reggae and Afrobeat, now had a unique compositional and production style, bringing together the various strands of bass-heavy, groove-inspired music that had characterized their work over the previous decade. [9] [10] Human Nature has been played by DJs on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, BBC 6 Music and numerous radio stations worldwide. It was featured on Gilles Peterson's 'Best of 2012' show. [11]

Soothsayers signed to London-based label Wah Wah 45s in 2017. The label had released two EPs in 2017, 'Speak to my Soul' and 'Speak to my Soul Remixed' (released in July and September 2017 respectively).

Their sixth album, Tradition, was released in 2018. Tradition marked the first album to be recorded by the Soothsayers after their signing to Wah Wah 45s in 2017.

Their seventh album, We Are Many, was released in 2020.

Touring

Throughout their career, the band has predominantly performed in the UK and Europe, playing at major jazz, reggae and world music festivals Rototom Sunsplash, the North Sea Jazz Festival and Glastonbury Festival. Soothsayers have also performed and toured extensively with Johnny Clarke, Michael Prophet and Cornel Campbell, [12] performing some of their classics as well as new collaborative material.

Collaborations

Hopcraft and Rahman have also collaborated with many other musicians, including Osibisa, Mad Professor, Rico Rodriguez, Jerry Dammers, Ayub Ogada, Aswad, Julia Biel, Zoe Rahman and Arun Ghosh. in 2011, they were asked by members of the band Antibalas to participate in the London production of the musical ' Fela! ', [13] about the life of Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, which ran for four months at London's National Theatre. Hopcraft was the musical director and trumpeter and Rahman played the saxophone part mimed to by the actor in the title role.

Lineup

Members of the wider Soothsayers Collective

Discography

Albums

EPs and singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afrobeat</span> West African music genre, distinct from Afrobeats

Afrobeat is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian and Ghanaian music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion, the style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who popularised it both within and outside Nigeria. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fela Kuti</span> Nigerian musician and activist (1938–1997)

Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì was a Nigerian musician and political activist. He is regarded as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers". AllMusic described him as "a musical and sociopolitical voice" of international significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Allen (musician)</span> Nigerian musician (1940–2020)

Tony Oladipo Allen was a Nigerian and French drummer, composer, and songwriter who lived and worked in Paris, France. Allen was the drummer and musical director of Fela Kuti's band Africa '70 from 1968 to 1979, and was one of the founders of the Afrobeat genre. Fela once stated that "without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat". He was described by Brian Eno as "perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived". Later in life, Allen collaborated with Damon Albarn on several projects, including Gorillaz, the Good, the Bad & the Queen and Rocket Juice & the Moon.

Afro rock is a style of rock music with African influences. Afro rock is a dynamic interplay between Western rock music and African musical elements such as rhythm, melodies and instrumentation. Afro rock bands and artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s included Osibisa, Assagai and Lafayette Afro Rock Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acid Jazz Records</span> British record label

Acid Jazz Records is a record label based in East London formed by Gilles Peterson and Eddie Piller in 1987. The label is the namesake of the acid-jazz subgenre of jazz music for which it is most famously known for producing.

Justin Boland, also known as J Boogie is a DJ, music producer, radio host, music director and music curator from San Francisco with over 25 years of experience in the music industry.

Novalima is a Peruvian band. Novalima's style blends Afro-Peruvian music with Electronica, Latin American beats, and other contemporary genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra</span> American Afrobeat band

Kokolo, also known as the Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra, is an American Afrobeat band from the Lower East Side of New York City, formed in 2001 by songwriter/producer Ray Lugo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sila and the Afrofunk Experience</span> Band with lead singer Sila Mutungi

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience is an Afrofunk band formed in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dele Sosimi</span> Nigerian-British musician (born 1963)

Bamidele Olatunbosun Sosimi known as Dele Sosimi, is a Nigerian-British musician.

The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra is a Leeds-based afrobeat band that takes its influence from Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band amongst many others. Although their music uses Afrobeat rhythm and language, they also owe part of their sound to the space Jazz pioneers of the 1970s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 1960s. The band have been quoted as crediting James Brown and Tony Allen for having a large influence on their music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Pride and the Pimptones</span>

Nick Pride and the Pimptones are a funk/jazz/soul band based in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Pimptones were formed in 2007 by guitarist, composer, and arranger Nick Pride. Their record label Record Kicks describes them as "a deep funk/jazz-dance outfit playing original music in the style of The Meters, JTQ, and Charlie Hunter. "

Kishon Khan is a Bangladeshi-born British award-winning jazz pianist, composer, arrangermusic producer, and Professor of Practise at the SOAS University of London

Idris Rahman is an English clarinettist, saxophonist and record producer.

<i>Confusion</i> (album) 1975 studio album by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70 band

Confusion is a 1975 album by Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti and his Africa 70 band. It was arranged, composed, and produced by Kuti, who recorded the album after choosing to emphasize his African heritage and nationalism in his music. Confusion is a commentary on the confused state of post-colonial Lagos and its lack of infrastructure and proper leadership at the time. Kuti's pidgin English lyrics depict difficult conditions in the city, including a frenetic, multilingual trading market and inextricable traffic jams in Lagos' major intersections.

<i>Afrodisiac</i> (Fela Kuti album) 1973 studio album by Fela Ransome-Kuti and the Africa 70

Afrodisiac is an album by Nigerian Afrobeat composer, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, originally released on the Nigerian EMI label in 1973. The album's four tracks were re-recordings of Nigerian 45s redone in London in 1972. The album features Kuti's first Nigerian hit "Jeun Ko Ku," which sold over 200,000 copies.

Justin Thurgur is a British trombonist and composer/arranger.

Resonators are a British dub reggae band, based in Brighton. They have released three studio albums. Since 2009, Resonators have been fronted by female vocalists Faye Houston and Kassia Zermon, with Abraham Moughrabi (keys), Seth Tuffnell (drums), George Berrills (bass), Mike Shirley (guitar/vocals), Leroy Horns (sax), and Joe Atherton (trumpet).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Made Kuti</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter

Ọmọ́rìnmádé Kútì known professionally as Made Kuti, is a Nigerian afrobeat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. He released his debut album titled For(e)ward in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Lu</span> Musician from South London

Miles Romans-Hopcraft, known professionally as Wu-Lu, is a musician from Brixton, South London. He has self-released one album and two EPs, and released his first album with Warp Records, Loggerhead, in 2022. His music covers a wide variety of genres, including several types of hip hop and rock, though he is most commonly associated with punk rock.

References

  1. ↑ "SOOTHSAYERS – Nu Afro Beat and Dub". 18 September 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  2. ↑ taylor, angus. "reggae newssoothsayers interview". reggae news. Archived from the original on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  3. ↑ Fordham, John (5 April 2002). "Jazz CD Releases". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Bacon, Peter. "Cd of the Week". The Free Library. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  5. ↑ C, JJ. "November 2005". BBC AFRICA ON YOUR STREET. BBC. Retrieved 15 October 2012.[ dead link ]
  6. ↑ May, Chris (10 March 2006). "Soothsayers: Tangled Roots". All about Jazz. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Mann, Ian. "The Jazz Mann Soothsayers Review". The Jazz Mann. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Angus. "Red Earth Dub BBC Review". BBC Reviews. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  9. ↑ taylor, angus. "bbc music review - human nature". bbc online. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  10. ↑ male, howard (18 November 2012). "review" . the independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  11. ↑ Peterson, Gilles. "Gilles Peterson BBC6". best of 2012 BBC6 show. BBC6. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  12. ↑ Katz, David. "Cornel Campbell in London". United Reggae Reviews. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  13. ↑ Taylor, Paul (15 October 2012). "Fela! National Theatre" . The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.