Òmònílè, Son of the Soil

Singer, composer, guitarist and violinist Atàndá’s Òmònílè, Son of the Soil combines familiar elements of Afrobeat with sophisticated arrangements that distinguish the Lagos-born, London resident’s work amid a densely populated field of performers. Supported by richly detailed folk and contemporary urban rhythms, smartly arranged horn charts and lugubriously oscillating guitars, Atàndá delivers lyrics in a euphonious voice packed with political punch and emotional resonance, sung in English and Yoruba. The album opener, ‘Ogundele’, incorporates a spiritually jubilant call-and-response theme. Atàndá’s crooner-style expression shines through on the jazz-inflected ‘Aje’. A mashup of Afrobeat, highlife and jùjú, ‘Wake Up Africa’ features a striking extended talking drum intro by Gbadebo Gabriel and silky smooth lead guitar and vocal accompaniment (including scat singing) by Nigerian musician Adédèjì. Òmònílè, Son of the Soil carries the Afrobeat legacy forward with historical roots and originality in abundance.