Nigerian artist Atanda, highly praised by Femi Kuti, and yearly invited to perform at Felabration festival in Lagos by the Kuti family, Atanda marked the international scene with his latest album "Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀ Son of the Soil", widely recognised by the journalists as some of the best music released in 2024, Top of The World on Songlines and Top Ten on World Music Charts Europe. The album was released by One World Records in April 2024.
Right before the release Atanda recolated to London, UK, and formed a new edition of his band Atanda & Afrojazz Messengers.
The band is slowly but surely establishing a wide fan base in the buzling metropolis, and achievement in it self.
Atanda's music is a blend of diverse musical influences with a vibrant tapestry of rhythm, melody, and soulful expression. Fusioning Afrobeat, jazz, blues, and folk, characterized by Atanda's crooner vocals and high-energy performances that engage and captivate audiences. Atanda has the ability to connect with his audiences on a deep and meaningful level. Whether through heartfelt lyrics or infectious rhythms, Atanda creates moments of connection and unity that resonate long after the music stops.
Over the years, Atanda & Afrojazz Messengers have soared to new heights, gracing prestigious events and festivals across the globe. From the Market for African Performing Arts Festival (MASA) in Ivory Coast to Sofar London's High Key Remixed concert, from Felabration to the Lagos International Jazz Festival and many more.
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, SONGLINES, October 2024