Tapes of Utopia

This cassette (which is also available as a download, obviously) brims with infectious music, lyrics and a hard-wired utopian variety of optimism. Onipa were recent guests on the monthly Mwalimu Express radio show Rita Ray and I present on Soho Radio and they spread their joyous humour and uplifting outlook right across the airwaves. Tapes of Utopia, their second release, is a constant delight.

Cassette is a perfect medium to convey their love of analogue and the feelings of unity and strength of purpose they have found in those old-school musical roots in Ghana and across Africa. The core of the band are exceptionally fluent, flexible and funky musicians: KOG (aka Kweku of Ghana from KOG & the Zongo Brigade) on vocals, balafon and percussion; Dwayne Kilvington (aka Wonky Logic) on synths; Tom Excell on all-embracing guitar, percussion and electronics, with fellow Nubiyan Twist members Joe Henwood on baritone sax and Finn Booth on drums. They share and spread the joy with artists from across the diaspora – Sheffield rapper Franz Von and legendary drummer Tony Allen – along with Ghanaian firebrands M3NSA and Wiyaala, and rhythms from DRC, Nigeria and South Africa. Plus the delight that is ‘Gbomo’, their Oliver Mtukudzi homage, a beautiful incarnation of Zimbabwean music, closing with a heartfelt lament about corruption.