"I love hearing new music like this" Jamz Supernova (BBC 1Xtra/6music)
Following on from their killer Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow EP, supported by the likes of Jamz Supernova (Radio 1Xtra) and Don Letts (6Music), Monzanto Sound return with TT&T Remixed, a digital four track remix EP coming in September 2023, comprising remixes, reworking’s and new collaborations of tunes from the Tomorrow,
Tomorrow & Tomorrow EP from the likes of Dave Okumu, Natty Wylah, Mali-I and Waz. Monzanto Sound are a London-based music collective fusing together different sounds from the African Diaspora and combining them with a hypnotic, psychedelic edge.
Leading off the EP is lead single Eja (Dave Okumu Remix) by Monzanto Sound. Sure fire heat just in time for the summer, Dave Okumu has reworked the tune entirely, giving it a fresh afrobeat-influenced groove, adding his distinctive guitar, post punk synths and a dub atmosphere, whilst maintaining the experimentalism of the original.
Already one of the most sought-after songwriters, producers and musicians around, Dave Okumu has collaborated with; Arlo Parks, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, St Vincent, Jessie Ware, Grace Jones, Adele, and also Joan As A Policewoman and the late Tony Allen on a forthcoming and recently announced collaborative album. He is also the singer and guitarist of Mercury nominated band The Invisible.
Dave was the first choice of the band for this project and we’re absolutely delighted with his work on the track. The original track Eja is a tribute in part to ‘Yemọja’ the Yoruba goddess of the sea, or more loosely translated ‘mother of fish children’ - ẹja (meaning ‘fish’) is about a return to self - to home - and about spiritual re-awakening. It’s one of the bands most experimental tracks, built from hours of edited jams and recordings, much like the technique Miles Davis and Can were using in the 70s. Dave Okumu has completely flipped the feel, adding an afrobeat-influenced feel to the track with the beat and clipped funk guitar, layered with synths and dub atmospherics. It is absolutely killer.
Next up we have The Letter remixed by the band’s very own Waz ahead of his debut solo album ‘Prayer For Dawn’ coming this autumn. Waz reverses the tune completely away from the krautrock groove of the original and towards his own brand of atmospheric and organic techno. Singer Mimi Koku’s sultry, spooky vocals still soar fleetingly over the top.
Closing out the EP we have a redux of The Fool from the original EP, reworked into a new tune called Tricksters with the incredible Natty Wylah on the mic. The Fool riddim has been reimagined as a year 3000 UK steppas tune, combined with Natty’s singular cross-genre rapping style. Also on the EP is Tricksters Dub, with the band’s own dub scientist Mali-I at the controls, flexing the tune squarely for soundsystems and the dancefloor.
credits
released September 15, 2023
All tracks written by Monzanto Sound
Monzanto Sound - Eja (Dave Okumu Remix):
Additional Production by Dave Okumu
Monzanto Sound - The Letter (Waz Remix):
Additional Production by Wazoo Baden-Powell
Monzanto Sound meets Natty Wylah - Tricksters:
Produced by Mali-I
Additional production by Wazoo Baden-Powell
Vocals and Lyrics by Nathan Lee Graham
Monzanto Sound meets Natty Wylah - Tricksters Dub:
Produced by Mali-I
Additional production by Wazoo Baden-Powell
Tracks 2-4 Mixed @ Biodiversity Studios by Mali & Wazoo Baden-Powell
All tracks mastered by Rich at Cotton Bud
Cover Art by Mimi Koku
Layout and Typography by Mali Baden-Powell
Monzanto Sound is a band from London fusing together different styles from the African
Diaspora and
combining them with a hypnotic, psychedelic edge. They are a high energy,
rhythmic group with an ear for space and simplicity capable of getting any crowd moving. Lyrically, there is an
emotional honesty that speak on multiple levels....more
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