Michael Olatuja returns with Lagos Pepper Soup

Listen to the bustling African and lush orchestrated jazz-rock blend of 'Soki' featuring today's Ella Fitzgerald Dianne Reeves and guitar great Lionel Loueke from the upcoming Whirlwind release by the stellar British-Nigerian bass guitarist Michael …

Published: 21 Mar 2020. Updated: 3 years.

Listen to the bustling African and lush orchestrated jazz-rock blend of 'Soki' featuring today's Ella Fitzgerald Dianne Reeves and guitar great Lionel Loueke from the upcoming Whirlwind release by the stellar British-Nigerian bass guitarist Michael Olatuja.

Olatuja was significant in the early career of Soweto Kinch and appeared on his classic 2003 album Conversations with the Unseen.

The bass guitarist-composer has gigged extensively with Loueke and this blog heard the two of them for instance play at the Vortex in London back in 2012 on what was a memorable night, the place packed out and buzzing.

Lagos Pepper Soup is stuffed with guests who include: star MBASE-descended UK pianist Robert Mitchell who has a new solo piano out himself soon; sax icon Joe Lovano; swinging violin star Regina Carter; soulful Laura Mvula; and the great Beninoise musical icon, Angélique Kidjo.

Whirlwind have also signed, in a coup for the label, alto sax icon Rudresh Mahanthappa in his first album as a leader in five years, switching label from long time home ACT, and will issue ''Hero Trio''.

Photo of Michael Olatuja: Bandcamp.

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Let Spin go to Hull and back – no Larkin about

Let Spin's third album Steal the Light is to be released next month and for which the absorbing 'Sketch' listen in heralds. Dystopian, brooding… dark… Ornettian… prog. All these adjectives spring to mind at first blush. A forward thinking …

Published: 20 Mar 2020. Updated: 4 years.

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Let Spin's third album Steal the Light is to be released next month and for which the absorbing 'Sketch' listen in heralds.

Dystopian, brooding… dark… Ornettian… prog. All these adjectives spring to mind at first blush.

A forward thinking four-piece formed of guitarist Moss Freed + bass guitarist Ruth Goller, who is on the happening new Vula Viel record What's Not Enough About That? + drummer Finlay Panter and alto saxophonist Chris Williams of Led Bib, this latest album took the band to Hull and back to lay down the n(h)umbers. Tunes are by each of the band members. No Larkin about, thankfully.

Finlay Panter, top left, Moss Freed, Chris Williams, Ruth Goller. Photo: Bandcamp