Village Afrobeat is the title of Femi Koya’s new album, which the saxophonist will air on a national South African tour. This composer/vocalist releases this third album on 20 April, 2018.
Born in Nigeria and based in South Africa, Femi is the new face of the African Renaissance. He combines West African highlife and jazz, South African Sophiatown with Afrobeat root sounds – a rich blend of deep Afrobeat and contemporary groove.
“I believe that Africa will have its true homecoming when people see themselves as first and foremost African. Until then I will continue to make music suggestive of this homecoming and what the future holds for Africans united. It is our destiny”, says Femi Koya.
A nostalgic look at village culture
Femi’s new album is an African party, jazzed up with Afrobeat’s horn arrangements, with talking drum and percussion driving the African heartbeat. Songs such as Babalawo, Lerato, Alo and Kongo enable new generations to understand the significance of these narratives as well as providing a nostalgic look at village culture and its life lessons.
Femi says: “These songs tell stories of what happens in villages and especially in fables, with animals like the tortoise, the role of the town criers, village men and women as part of the whole village lifestyle. The songs also depict nature, fertility, rituals, change of seasons and traditions essential to village life.”
Femi Koya tours nationally with his 9-piece Afrobeat ensemble, presenting Village Afrobeat in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The band is comprised of Femi on sax and vocals, Maxwell Baloyi on keyboards, Olusegun Oyedele on talking drum, Peter Adesola on trombone, Karo Ndoite on guitar, Seun Adebari on drums, Felix Arimoro on flugelhorn, Lanre Kununji on trumpet and Gabriel Atabe on bass.
The Village Afrobeat tour starts in Cape Town at Café Roux, Cape Farmhouse, and Waterfront V&A from the 26 to 29 April. The 10 to 12 May the tour hits Durban with performances at The Chairman and Jazzy Rainbow. In Gauteng, from 17 May to 31 May, Village Afrobeat lights up The Orbit Jazz Club, African Beer Emporium, King Kong and Winnie’s Jazz Club- with further venues to be confirmed.
Gigs in short
Cape Town – Café Roux, Friday 27 April – 7.30pm, R 120
Address: 74 Shortmarket St, Cape Town
Book: 061 339 4438 / vanessa@caferoux.co.za
Cape Town – Cape Farm House
Saturday 28 April – 2.30pm, R100,/R50 (student) /R20 (under 12)
Address: M66 & M65, Redhill, Cape Peninsula, Cape Town
Book: 021 780 1246 / info@capefarmhouse.com / www.quickets.co.za
Cape Town – V&A Waterfront Amphi
Saturday 28 April – 5.30pm, Free
Address: 19 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Bookings: 021 408 7600 / enquiries@waterfront.co.za
* Note: KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng dates to be announced soon
The musical influences that can be found in Village Afrobeat include Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Manu Dibango, Hugh Masekela and Baaba Maal. About the title of the album, Femi says: “Some say Africa is a village. I say let us then unite Africans through the metaphor of a village. Some say we are going back to our roots, Africa. I carry my root along with me into the future”.
On 20 April 2018 Village Afrobeat will go live on digital online stores like iTunes, Spotify and Amazon. Physical CDs can be bought at Musica and CNA. Copies of the new CD will also be on sale at the performances. Femi Koya Village Afrobeat Tour is supported by Concerts SA through the Music Mobility Fund.
Who: Femi Koya
What: Village Afrobeat album release 2018s
Web: www.femikoya.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/olufemiogunkoya
Facebook: www.facebook.com/femikoyamusic
Instagram: https://instagram.com/femkoya
Twitter: www.twitter.com/femkoya
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/za/artist/femi-koya/id1028160320
Hashtags: VillageAfrobeat ;ConcertsSA ;MobilityFund
WS
