Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil by ATANDA

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”

DISTRIBUTION Xango Music, Karonte Records, Trapeze Music, Indigo, GiGi Distribution, Inpartmaint Inc., PJ Music & The Orchard

ATANDA “Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil”

“Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil” by Nigerian artist Atanda, is a conscious concept album geared towardsreawakening the young and the old Africans in the diaspora about their culture and heritage. The greatbody of work is deeply rooted in Afrobeat, Afrojazz, Blues and Folk music, with strong rhythmicalstructures and sophisticated African harmonic idioms. Inspired by the icons and African music legends,Fela Anikulapo Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ayinla Omoniwura, Elemure. A saying by Marcus Gurvey:“Thepeople without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots”.album isfull of solo and repeated choruses (call and response) with texts song in English and Yoruba, critical to thesystem as well as a praise to the African people.

Atanda is a singer, guitarist, violinist, songwriter, arranger and bandleader, gifted with a crooner voice. Hemixes genres with a laid back, effortless approach. Mystical, with many layers, Atanda is a powerfulinterpreter of Nigerian “Spirituals” and West African rooted music. His sound revives the 70’s warm andgroovy experimental afro soul jazz music scene. On a trip back and forth to other galaxies, in a space shipthick of smoke and psychedelic colourful patterns, created in a contemporary design with delicate taste.Lean back and enjoy a full oeuvre with strong messages on society, on politics, on love, on life. Atanda isauthentic, true to his own mission, full of imagination, stylish and tasteful. He goes all in with his ideas,courageously. It is a pleasure for any African music lover to be allowed to hear a long Talking Drum intro,for example, with no rush to radio hit it, but rather to give the keen listener a full musical encounter, to thespiritual music language. The splendid horn section binds the album together, along with a masterlyrhythm section. The arrangements are tremendous, variated, organic, and the instrumentalists get enoughspace for brilliant solos. Atanda’s deep voice is beautifully supported by the female backing vocalists ingreat harmonies.

“Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil” manifests Atanda’s evolution as a musician, reflecting hisconsistency and constant search for musical identity. From traditions to big band swing, Atanda’s hugepersonality in the center prevails. The albums ending track “Wake up Africa” features the prolific Nigerianmusician Adédèjì on guitar and soulful vocals, and delights us with elements crossbreeding Afrojuju,Highlife, Juju and Afrobeat. The album os masterfully performed, conserving and defending the variostraditional genres of Nigerian music.

Atanda was born and raised in Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria. His debut album “Ancestors” was released inNigeria in 2019 and was well received by the national music connoisseurs. He has toured widely on theAfrican continent, performing at festivals like Felabration in Lagos, Market for African performing Arts(MASA) in Abidjan, Africa International Music Festival (AIM), African Young Entrepreneur (A.Y.E) Akure,Lagos International Jazz Festival and many more. Atanda has been praised by and performed with theprominent Afrobeat king Femi Anikulapo-Kuti over the years. Atanda recently relocated to Lodon, wherehe is performing and teaching music.

Ọ̀mọ̀nílẹ̀, Son of the Soil All Compositions & Arrangements ©by Atanda Produced by Atanda & AyodejiJohn. Recorded by Ayodeji John at The Mine Studio, Lekki, Nigeria. Mixed by Ayodeji John at DistinctSound Studio Mushin, Lagos *Except ”Derayo” Recorded and Mixed by Kikiope at Kiki Recording Studio,Lagos, Nigeria. Post production by Carolina Vallejo. Mastered by Tom Leader.

TITLES 01. Ogundele 06:41, 02. Derayo 03:22, 03. Motherland 05:51, 04. Blue Incantation 05:25, 05.Aje 05:09, 06. Iwa 03:57, 07. Corruption 04:08, 08. Wake Up Africa 07:01. Total playtime 40:14

LINE UP Atanda Lead Voc and Guitar, Ayodeji John Piano, Lande Santos Keys, Kayode SamsonTrumpet, Afolabi Oluwapelumi Tenor Saxophone, Odesile Gbolahan Tenor Saxophone, SanyaoluSegun Baritone Saxophone, Cardoso Olabisi Back Up Vocals, Ilesanmi Oluwakemi Back Up Vocals,Akinyemi Oluwafemi Bass, Oludairo Oluwatobi Drums, Gbadebo Gabriel Talking Drum, Sekere,Djembe, Congas & Clef.
*Kinrin Jeremiah Drums on “Aje”
Special Guest Adédèjì Voc and Guitar on“Wake Up Africa”