Yamäya - Album Senegal

Presenting ‘SENEGAL’ – An original 10 track album from Glastonbury Emerging Talent finalists Yamäya, that reached the final 8 bands out of 5600 entries. ‘Senegal’is a unique body of work that features powerful Senegalese vocalist Khadim Sarr and members of established bands such as Basement Jaxx, Incognito and Lakuta.

This collective of talented London and Brighton based musicians have finely crafted their own distinctly mesmerising sound. Yamäya 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.

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)

All music written by all members of Yamäya, except instrumentals ‘Fraggle’ and ‘Hair of the Dog’ written by all members except Khadim Sarr.

Recorded at Brighton Electric Studios

Produced by Sam Miller and Laura Impallomeni

Mix and Mastered by Sam Miller

Album artwork was created by MAYA DUB

Graphic Design by IMPALA VISION

Released by Funkiwala Records 24th March 2023

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.