quête:laolu

Laolu, the acclaimed Swiss-Nigerian producer and DJ, is set to release his highly anticipated EP titled Try, marking a pivotal moment as the first release under his newly launched record label, Siembra. Known for his transformative remixes and immersive club tracks, Try captures Laolu's signature blend of evocative beats and precise production. Leading the EP is the single ‘You Don’t See Me’, a collaboration with South African vocalist Nomvula, whose tender voice intertwines seamlessly with Laolu’s production. The track embodies the emotive, atmospheric qualities that have earned Laolu a loyal following worldwide while reflecting his desire to collaborate with one of the great voices of the vibrant South African music scene. The title track ‘Try’ features the distinct vocals of SeeMeNot, a standout artist from Defected Records additionally, the EP includes ‘Creature of the Night’, a track powered by one of house music’s most iconic voices, Starving Yet Full.

"Try EP marks an important milestone as the first release on my new label, Siembra. This record represents the latest evolution of my sound, a fusion that draws from both my European roots and West African heritage, seamlessly blending electronic and live music. It’s a sound crafted with both instinct and precision, embodying my deep love for dance music and a newfound passion for songwriting," Laolu explains. With these powerful collaborations and Siembra's commitment to artistic freedom, Laolu continues to elevate his creative journey. The EP sets the tone for Siembra’s future releases, offering fans a fresh, innovative blend of cultural influences in club music that moves both the heart and the dancefloor.

Laolu makes his Crosstown Rebels debut with ‘Now I See’, combining with Off The Meds frontman Kamohelo Khoaripe across the two-track release. Having emerged via his versatile and dynamic DJ sets for the likes of Circoloco, with releases via labels such as Keinemusik, Innervisions and Anjunadeep, Swiss DJ/producer Laolu has stamped his mark while racking up support from Dixon and Black Coffee. Arriving in fine form, he closes out November with a classy label debut on Damian Lazarus’ renowned Crosstown Rebels as he serves up his latest two-track release ‘Now I See’ - a vibrant and personal release shaped and finalised after a decade following the birth of his daughter.

Spirited and resonant, combining soulful female vocals with organic percussion and sweeping melodies throughout, ‘Now I See’ is a warm and sonorous production set for heartfelt dancefloor moments, while ‘Monday To Sunday’ featuring the impactful vocals of Kamohelo takes a darker path as swirling bass patterns, menacing synths and warped tones merge around the commanding flute for a powerful late night cut.

Laolu & Mr. Raoul K. amalgamieren auf - Djougou Yah - ihrer Debut EP für Compost Records - zeitgenössische Housemusic, afrikanische Rhythmus- und Soundtexturen mit den von einer tiefen Spiritualität geprägten Vocals von Ahmed Sosso.

Es ist nicht die erste vielversprechende Zusammenarbeit des in Genf ansässigen Laolu und Mr. Raoul K, der im beschaulichen Lübeck lebt. Schon auf Raoul K's - Sene Kela aus 2014, schafften die beiden mit ihrer Mr. Raoul K & Laolu Version scheinbar mühelos den Spagat zwischen Roots und Moderne - zwischen Deepness und Raveappeal - vor allem aber ein hinreißendes Stück Musik. Welches auch Compost Chef Michael Reinbothzutiefst berührte und sogleich für die aktuellste Ausgabe seiner - Future Sounds Of Jazz Serie lizensierte. Mit - Djougou Yah nehmen die beiden diesen Vibe wieder auf, drehen das Rad aber noch ein ganzes Stück weiter und liefern zwei fabelhafte Versionen ab - neben dem musikalischen und wunderschön instrumentierten wie arrangierten Original steht quasi Brust an Brust der Perc Mix. Dank mehr Punch in der Kick, stripped back Percussions, prägnanten Synth Arpeggios und Breakdown wartet dieser mit mehr Peaktime- und Festival Appeal auf.
Die Lyrics und Vocals stammen von dem Afrikanischen Musiker und Sänger Ahmed Sosso, dessen einzigartige Stimme auch auf Manoo & Raoul K's letztjährigem Innervisions Release - Toukan zu hören war. Music with a Message - und eine Platte, die uns sehr am Herzen liegt.

After 31 years, the Serious Beats compilation era comes to an end. The very last edition, Serious Beats 100, arrives as 3 Vinyl Box Sets (including 5 vinyls per box).

Some of the most legendary club tracks of the past decades have made the cut, and are now bundled into a true collector's item for everyone who's heart is beating to the rhythm of house music.

* Back on vinyl officially for the first time since 1973

* Reissue of this RARE Nigerian landmark Psy-funk album

* Comes with insert containing exclusive liner notes

* Strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide, comes with obi-strip


Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first OFFICIAL reissue of this landmark Nigerian album. This RARE classic (original copies tend to go for large amounts on the secondary market) is now finally back available as a limited vinyl edition (500 copies) complete with the original artwork and exclusive liner notes/pictures provided by Ofege's founding member 'Melvin Ukachi' who also supervised this reissue.



Ofege was formed in the early 1970s by a bunch of teenagers at the St. Gregory's College in Lagos Nigeria. They were largely influenced by the guitar solos of Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page while closer to home, they were influenced by the music of 'BLO' (Berkley Jones, Laolu Akins and Mike Odumosu), 'Monomono' (led by Joni Haastrup), The Funkees, and Ofo The Black Company.

Due to their vibrant combo of sweet harmonies, hooks & fuzz, Ofege would become one of the most legendary Nigerian groups of all time, with expressive sales and national stardom. At the turn of the century (and because of tracks appearing on various psychedelic music compilations) Ofege would receive international acknowledgment for being the first of their kind and the ultimate West-African psychedelic funk band!

Their first album was recorded while the band members were still in high school (average age of 16), Ofege's debut album 'Try And Love' was originally recorded and released in 1973 on EMI Nigeria.

'Try And Love' is wild and uncompromising blend of soul, funk and rock with complex and groovy rhythms. Ofege succeeded in creating a debut album drenced with fuzzy guitars, plaintive/wailing vocals and a backbeat as influenced by James Brown as it is by Fela Kuti. It's a unique, raw and beautiful take on the psychedelic sound. The ingenuity allied with the inexperience of its members makes this album a real treasure.

Soul Jazz Records' latest album 'Yoruba! Songs and Rhythms for the Yoruba Gods in Nigeria' is newly recorded in Lagos, Nigeria. The album is co-produced by Soul Jazz Records label head Stuart Baker and Laolu Akins (founding member of the legendary 1970s Nigerian Afro-Funk/Rock group Blo). Yoruba! features an array of local master drummers led by Olatunji Samson Sotimirin and singers (featuring the lead vocals of Janet Olufanmilayo Abe) performing heavyweight Afro-rhythms, with talking drums, Bata and Dundun drums and a mass of percussion in these deep spiritual and sacred songs used to honour and worship the traditional and ancient Yoruba gods in Nigeria, West Africa. 
The enormous impact of Yoruba and West African music and culture is worldwide - from the first Afro-centric explorations of African-American jazz musicians in the 1950s such as Art Blakey, Randy Weston and Dizzy Gillespie, the explosion of Nu Yorican Latin music in New York City starting in the 1960s - Mambo, Boogaloo, Latin funk and soul - through to the sacred and powerful Afro-derived music of the religions of Santería in Cuba, Candomblé in Brazil and Voodoo in Haiti, which all came into existence on account of the Atlantic slave trade which began over 400 years ago. On a wider scale West African music remains the primary root of all African-American musical forms - from New Orleans jazz to Bronx rap, gospel, soul and more.
This album features songs honouring the Nigerian gods of the Yoruba traditional religion - Yemoja, Obatala, Ogun, Sango and others - as well as a selection of instrumental cuts focussing on the Bata and Dundun drums. The album comes complete with extensive text and photography included in the 40-page outsize booklet/gatefold double vinyl + inners showing the influence of Yoruba culture throughout the world and the social and historical context for the music contained here.
Watch out for a limited edition remix of the project by Osunlade, also forthcoming on Soul Jazz Records.