MIXED WORLD MUSIC REVIEW

Today's Nigerian musical melting pot brings forth a multitude of exciting flavours. The promising singer and producer Tems needs no further explanation. The underrated singer, guitarist and producer Atanda does. Alongside some fine ballads, he brings super groovy afrobeat with a twist, which makes for good dancing. Like on Ogundele, the afrofunky opening track, but also on Motherland, with the requisite quotes from Nigerian Yoruba-juju classics, and on Aji, where keyboard players and horns indulge in plenty and playfulness. Playful - even with the input of the percussion arsenal - is the key word in the production of this Lagos-recorded album, which ends with a thunderous Wake Up Africa, sung and chanted by singer and guitarist Adejeji, his Real World label companion. Hertme and NSJ, take advantage!

Co-producer Ayodeji John stirs his keyboard vigorously yet tastefully, jazzy and driving. His jazzy, funky and imaginative arrangements give Omonile just that extra touch, making it a rock-solid afrobeat record that today's computerised afrobeat versions could learn a lot from. These are also outweighed by two tenor saxes, a solid roaring baritone sax and refined, vicious and jazzy trumpet playing. Together, these provide West African peppery spice. Tasty percussion grooves by talking drums, shekere and congas give Atanda the right ‘all you can dance’ cadence and the closing track Wake Up Africa, with great performance by vocal talent and label-mate Adedeji, incorporating fractions of Fela Kuti and other afromusic pioneers, is a foot-stomper of sorts. As far as I am concerned, Atanda is the best heartwarming new thing to come to us in this sodden summer.

Pieter Franssen, Mixed World Music, 16 juli, 2024

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”  ©℗ One World Records 2024 

KEYS & CHORDS REVIEW

Airy afrobeat with funky jazz influences make this album an almost indispensable gem.
Atanda who? A Nigerian guitarist who knows perfectly how to build a song that can appeal to audiences both in their home country and in our pampered Western world. Atanda formed the band Afrojazz Messengers in 2016 and with it he skimmed half the world. A graduate of the Peter King College of Music, he drenches himself entirely in jazz, blues and afro-music.
With the creative interpretation of his own written lyrics and the support of a powerful horn section (trumpet, tenor and baritone sax), he dares to impress us successfully.
Jazzy danceable starts the album seemingly classically constructed. A few minutes later you can already feel the vibes, the funk, the colour, the emotion. Nice that piano and keys also add a nostalgic touch (‘Motherland’).

Besides the purely musical approach, Atanda tries to inform and engage his fellow countrymen and, by extension, the entire black world (‘Corruption’, ‘Wake Up Africa’).
Which therefore makes this album extra fascinating for the black population in our asses.
Atanda leaves the well-worn paths and deliberately and skilfully jumps into unexpected musical textures. Compositions that uplift afrobeat.
One of the most refined funky afrobeat albums of the year with an engagement !

Marino Serdons, Keys and Chords, 23 July 2024

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”  ©℗ One World Records 2024 

SONGLINES REVIEW

Singer, composer, guitarist and violinist Atàndá’s Òmònílè, Son of the Soil combines familiar elements of Afrobeat with sophisticated arrangements that distinguish the Lagos-born, London resident’s work amid a densely populated field of performers. Supported by richly detailed folk and contemporary urban rhythms, smartly arranged horn charts and lugubriously oscillating guitars, Atàndá delivers lyrics in a euphonious voice packed with political punch and emotional resonance, sung in English and Yoruba. The album opener, ‘Ogundele’, incorporates a spiritually jubilant call-and-response theme. Atàndá’s crooner-style expression shines through on the jazz-inflected ‘Aje’. A mashup of Afrobeat, highlife and jùjú, ‘Wake Up Africa’ features a striking extended talking drum intro by Gbadebo Gabriel and silky smooth lead guitar and vocal accompaniment (including scat singing) by Nigerian musician Adédèjì. Òmònílè, Son of the Soil carries the Afrobeat legacy forward with historical roots and originality in abundance.

Doug Deloach for SONGLINES, October 2024

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”  ©℗ One World Records 2024 

TOTALLY RADIO PROGRAM

From Lagos, Nigeria comes Atanda with an excellent release called Son of the Soil, and more from the young afrobeat band Lagos Thugs. From Ghana, percussionists Afla Sackey with his band Afrik Bawantu, K.O.G. (Kweku of Ghana) with new release called Don’t Take my Soul, and more from Ghana’s 80s electronic highlife with a belter from the Starlite band. From France/Morocco comes rock blazers Bab L’ Bluz, and from Ethiopia a live delivery from Qwanqwa who are a favourite of mine. Congolese singer Rébecca M'Boungou’s Kolinga delivers the Ireke remix of Mateya Disco, and from Tanzania’s Hukwe Zawose dynasty come The Zawose Queens with their new track Mapendo.

John Warr, Totally Radio, 31 May 2024

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”  ©℗ One World Records 2024