Yamäya - Karma

Funkiwala Records proudly present ‘Karma’ - the second in a series of Digital singles by UK band Yamäya.

This is a beautiful song about cause and effect, in which Khadim Sarr gracefully describes how a person's actions and behaviour can influence their fate. Sung in the beautiful Senegalese language of Wolof, Khadim's vocals soar over syncopated afrobeat grooves intertwined with melodies from Yamäya's five-piece heavyweight horn section.

Yamäya is a collective of talented London and Brighton based musicians who have finely crafted their own distinctly mesmerising sound. They amalgamate influences from across the great African continent including Afrobeat, Griots and Ethiopiques with modern tinges of dub, hip hop, jazz and beyond. Their rich and intricate grooves are then layered with the inimitable rhythm and harmonic palette of Wolof song and rap.

‘Karma’ is the follow up to their first single release ‘Senegal’ - both or which will have extended versions featured on the bands debut album ‘Senegal’ out in March 2023

FEATURING:

Vocals – Khadim Saar

Backing vocals – Laura Impallomeni, Tom Camidge and Greg Sinclair

Rhythm Section

Drums – John Sam (Incognito, Son of Sam)

Percussion – Tom Camidge (Lakuta)

Bass – Jamie Patterson (Joe Felix)

Guitar- Luke Rattenbury (Lakuta, Son Guarachando)

Guitar – Jarvis Daniel (Swing Ninjas)

Horn Section

Trumpet – Mickey Ball (Basement Jaxx)

Trombone – Laura Impallomeni (The Gentle Mystics, Voodoo Love Orchestra)

Baritone Sax – Greg Sinclair (More is More, Lakuta)

Tenor Sax – Dan Cartwright (Oli Howes)

Alto Sax – Rich Halligan (Son of Sam)

Written, arranged and performed by all members of Yamäya

Recorded at Brighton Electric Studios

Produced by Sam Miller and Laura Impallomeni

Mastered by Sam Miller

PRESS REACTIONS

"An entrancing journey through deep and heavy grooves layered with blazing horns, afro-centric rhythms and mystical Senegalese vocals. Yamäya pay homage to the music's roots whilst forging new frontiers." – Jon Jones, Rootsgarden Records

“Yamäya have honed their tight and funky afrobeat with a new dynamic. Expect of course a thumping Fela horn section, razor sharp guitars, and unstoppable percussion, but their sound is made noticeably unique with its incorporation of vibrant Senegalese Mbalax and Wolof vocals from their talented singer Khadim Sarr”. -John Warr, Afrobase Radio