Lagos Pepper soup
Typically, I usually start my blog by sharing my thoughts on the album and introducing the artists on my pallet Today is a little different, with this particular artist Micheal Olatuja I don’t want to add or subtract from his works but be a humble fan.
One word I’d say that ‘ Micheal is a master wizard at making this beautiful cinematic, enthralling music that has a tinge of powerful afrobeat and a dash of the African groove that has you dancing and smiling to Yoruba you don’t understand ! ’
The latter is a forwarding of the website from which his music stems from:
Michael Olatuja’s musical development has taken place across three continents, in the heart of three of the world’s greatest cities. After a childhood in Lagos absorbing the Yoruba culture of his Nigerian family, followed by teenage years performing and studying on the booming London jazz scene, Michael’s talent bloomed when he arrived in New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music. His unique breadth of talent, grounded in the strong musical traditions of his homeland, has earned him first-call status across a range of genres from pop to gospel to Broadway to top-flight jazz, and along the way he’s filled his contacts book with an impressive and eclectic range of talent.
For Lagos Pepper Soup. His vision of what he calls Cinematic Afrobeat — “What you hear is a blend of three major cities: it’s a celebration of life, and I wanted to make it sound like a soundtrack for a movie that hasn’t been made yet — maybe the next Black Panther movie!”
The title track is a summary of what it’s about — the band lay down a cooking intercontinental groove over which Angelique Kidjo delivers a stunning vocal performance: “All these guests are people I’ve worked with, who inspire me and who I consider friends. Angelique has been one of my heroes for many years and working with her was a dream come true. She blew it out the water!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6_ZPjW7xp0
‘Hero’s Journey’ is the most cinematic track of the album, a through-composed piece inspired by his late Mother Comfort Bola Olatuja, who provided Michael’s first musical inspiration. Top Disney orchestrator David Metzger (Frozen, Ice Age, Lion King and countless others) provided the epic orchestrations and Regina Carter’s improvisation soars over the strings and vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGWaQZTsZH0
‘Soki’, meaning ‘Soon’ is a Pan-African mix of influences from Mali, Senegal and Nigeria and features Dianne Reeves singing in Yoruba “Man, She did her homework! She put her heart and soul into it!”
Brandee Younger contributes harp to the acoustic textures of ‘Ma Foya’ — “She’s NYC’s premier harp player! We get along like a house on fire — she joked about being left off my album so I got her in and the results were magical!”
‘Brighter Day’ reunites Michael with Laura Mvula and his old London buddy Troy Miller, who he played with in Soweto Kinch’s band, for a typically heartfelt, idiosyncratic piece of pop music.
UK pianist Robert Mitchell was one of Michael’s mentors when he was a 16-year old budding professional. Becca Stevens is the perfect interpreter for the complex sophistication of his composition ‘Home True’.
Bola Olatuja is Michael’s mother and ‘Bola’s Song’ is his tribute to her, with Grégoire Maret’s harmonica tracing the melody as the song moves from minor to major in Joubert’s lush arrangement.
‘Leye’s Dance’ is based on the Fuji style from Lagos: Joe Lovano recalls his time playing and hanging with Fela Kuti at The Shrine in this inspired Afrojazz blend.
“Shadows Fade’ is a ballad beautifully sung by Onaje Jefferson — “it’s about being where you need when going through difficult seasons.”
Lionel Loueke contributes the joyous ‘Mivakpola’ “He’s like a big brother to me. We like to have Lagos pepper soup together whenever he’s in town!”
‘Grace’ is an expression of Michael’s faith, but written without lyrics. “All the guests poured their heart and soul into this album, as though it were their own. I feel that grace has been shown to me throughout”
Beauty Galour ,have a taste of the music !
