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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 mesmerising song is a melancholic tale of dishonest and two-faced behaviour fueled by jealousy and comparison. Sung in the beautiful Senegalese language of Wolof, Khadim Sarr's powerful vocals float over delicious syncopated afro-soul grooves intertwined with Ethiopian melodies and jazz solos from Yamäya's five-piece heavyweight horn section.
Funkiwala Records proudly present ‘Karma’ - the second in a series of Digital singles by UK band Yamaäya. 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.
Funkiwala Records presents a debut single release -'Senegal' - by the UK based band Yamäya. This collective of talented London and Brighton based musicians have finely crafted their own distinctly mesmerising sound. Yamaäya amalgamate influences from across the great African continent including Afrobeat, Griots and Ethiopiques with modern tinges of dub, hip hop, jazz and beyond.
Presenting a brand new vinyl compilation featuring artists from the electic Funkiwala label – from Brasillian Afrobeat to Bengali Funk to Indo-Cuban-Nigerian Jazz to European Jazz Soul to traditional Baul Myticism - 3 newly released tracks by Phil Dawson, Cubafrobeat and Lokkhi Terra...
Funkiwala Records presents a new digital single “Kande Revisited” by Lokkhi Terra. Described as “probably the world’s best Afrobeat-Cuban-Bangladesh group”, the band first released this classic Bangla folk song on their critically acclaimed 2012 CD release “Che Guava’s Rickshaw Diaries”.
Funkiwala Records presents a new single, Que Beleza – by Phil Dawson featuring Nina Miranda and the +2s (Domenico, Moreno and Kassin). A funky version of a Tim Maia classic from the legendary ‘Racional’ period. Originating one London night when Moreno, Domenico and Kassin were in town for a +2s show and came to the studio late night afterwards to join Phil and others for a jam, despite their roadweariness...
Funkiwala Records presents a brand new digital single ‘Eni Agee’ by CUBAFROBEAT. Formed out of the collaboration between London fusionistas LoKkhi TeRra (“probably the worlds best Cuban-Afrobeat-Bangladeshi group” Songlines) and UK’s Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi (“A true legend” Clash), Cubafrobeat was initially the name of their critically acclaimed album from 2018 (“ A total Stonking Blinder” All About Jazz).
Archie the Goldfish is a project started by trumpet player Graeme Flowers and guitarist Chris Bestwick. As one of the UK’s most in-demand trumpet players, Graeme has performed with jazz stars such as Quincy Jones, Gregory Porter, Manu Katché, Michael Bublé, Kyle Eastwood, Tom Scott, Charlie Hunter and Deodato. On the pop/commercial side he’s worked with Taylor Swift, Cee Lo Green, Tom Jones, Simply Red, Paul Weller, Duran Duran, and many others.
Justin Thurgur's second album 'Many Faces' is an Afro-Jazz album, but there are a whole bunch of other influences in there too; reflecting the international music community that Justin has immersed himself in throughout his career.
Opening with a nod to the great Miles Davis electric albums of 50 years ago, the 5-track EP incorporates elements of jazz, drum & bass, funk and hip hop. ‘Water & Light’ is the follow-up to their first release, ‘Hidden Depths’, in December 2020 on Ropeadope, which was picked as one of the top 12 releases of 2020 by music journalist and author Sammy Stein.
A new 6-track mini album from a musician with a long list of credits including South African trumpet legend Hugh Masekela, afrobeat co-creator Tony Allen and Ethiopian jazz originator Mulatu Astatke as well as many Brit-jazz and international roots artists.
Funkiwala Records presents CUBANGLA - the sixth album by London fusionistas LoKkhi TeRra. Following on from their hugely successful collaboration with UK afro-beat ambassador Dele Sosimi on 2018’s “Cubafrobeat”(mixing afrobeat and Cuban Rumba/Timba), this album sees them return to their Bangla-Afro- Latin-Jazz-Roots.
A new jazz project from a guitarist with a long list of credits including South African legend Hugh Masekela, afrobeat co-creator Tony Allen and Ethiopian jazz originator Mulatu Astatke as well as a variety of Brit-jazz artists and setups.
- written by Justin Thurgur
Driven by a psychedelic, Afrobeat-infused guitar and a deep, soulful hammond Organ, this single is ‘World’ Modal Jazz that draws its inspiration from the multi-cultural music community in London.
Funkiwala is proud to be the bearer of Maurizio Ravalico’s first full-length album, “Nobody’s Husband, Nobody’s Dad”, an intriguing, visionary and very unique percussion work, which is in his own words “the most eloquent synthesis to date of my lifelong love affair with percussion music”.
First Funkiwala release of visionary percussionist Maurizio Ravalico is this genre-promiscuous, loosely dj-oriented EP 12” vinyl EP, which funnels his recent collaborations with the Fiium Shaarrk trio and Tamar Osborn’s Collocutor into an introduction and a compendium to his solo percussion album, “Nobody’s Husband, Nobody’s Dad”, out on Funkiwala in November 2018.
Funkiwala Records presents the third in the series of “Lokkhi Terra meets”albums, with the London fusionistas creating another unique soundclash, this time with ex-Fela Kuti keyboardist and legendary UK Afro-beat ambassador Dele Sosimi, and members of his critically acclaimed Afro-beat Orchestra.
- written by Justin Thurgur and Kishon Khan
This single release from Justin Thurgur, composed in collaboration with Kishon Khan, is a Cuban Jazz track that features driving Timba bass lines and Afrobeat inflected horns and is a nod to the Nuyorican Latin Jazz scene of the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s, which has been a big inspiration to them.
Beiju is the combined work of two unique practictioners: Firstly, Adma Macedo Newport from Salvador da Bahia, a singer who has integrated the great Afro-brazilian musical traditions of her native city with that of those she’s lived in on her travels. Namely - London, Bogota and Gabarone; taking an improvisational approach to all this roots influence and blending it with jazz and samba as well.
Cuban Timba meets London Funk.
Motimba were a UK based Latin band from the late 1990's, mixing Cuban Timba with Funk and Soul. Described by Straight No Chaser Magazine as "Ground-breaking", the band were hugely popular in the thriving live latin scene in London at that time, and are considered by many to be way ahead of their time.
In 2015, London fusionistas Lokkhi Terra put on a show at Womad and Songlines Encounters Festival, where they collaborated with folk legends from Bangladesh, the Shikor Bangladesh AllStars. The music was based on countless rooftop jams held back in Dhaka, where Lokkhi Terra had been touring regularly from 2009. “...from London’s global melting pot LoKkhi TeRra joined the Banglaeshi musicians of Shikor for an unlikely but successful fusion that matched Asian influences with Cuban Jazz” The Guardian.
"Perfection does not exist, but with this album Justin Thurgur and his mates are coming dangerously close to it."
Philippe de Cleen - damusic.be.
“Border breaking communication.......deftly celebrates our commonality.”
4-star review, Jane Cornwell – Evening Standard
‘No Confusion’ is Justin Thurgur’s debut album as a leader. Written in collaboration with the double bassist Max De Wardener and pianist Kishon Khan.
“The international power of Reggae Music” Rodigan Radio 1 Xtra
Presenting the first release in the series of collaborations between London innovators Lokkhi Terra and Bengali heavyweights Shikor Bangladesh AllStars.
This !2’ is a Roots meets Roots adventure, and features the vocal talents of Baby Akhtar and Baul Rob Fakir.
The collaboration places the mystic Baul tradition in the context of Roots Reggae – truly a marriange made in heaven.
“The group presenting this charming collection of Bangladeshi music lives up to its name.It is indeed an all-star cast....the resulting music is undeniably beautiful” Songlines “performed beautifully and with exquisite taste” Dhaka Tribune
Bangladesh is not only a land of Rivers, it’s a land of song. Ancient songs, full of poetry and spiritual meaning, can be heard everywhere. From popular boat songs to the great works of the mystic poet Lalon Shah, these are living traditions that continue to inspire each new generation.
“Beautiful, powerful, spectacular stuff” Songlines Magazine
“The multicultural settings effortlessly encapsulate 21st-century London. Traditional songs from Bangladesh collide with Latin rhythms, township jazz, funk and ambient shades, all seasoned with a lilting pop sensibility... Gold medals all round.” Sunday Times Magazine.
“Effortless” BBC radio 3.
The band’s debut album, released in 2010.
Funkiwala Records was created by musicians Kishon Khan and Justin Thurgur, who for over twenty years have been at the heart of a global music community based in London.
The label was set up to represent some of the unique music coming out of this scene - British Afro-Jazz, Sufi Samba, Bengali Reggae, Cuban Funk, Mystic Dub, BanglaAfroLatinJazz – a scene committed to breaking down musical borders.
“If further proof were needed that London is a hotbed of cross-culturally inspired expression, it’s new record label Funkiwala”
Evening Standard
Kishon Khan is a pianist, composer, arranger and producer, born in Bangladesh, but brought up in London. He was classically trained from the age of 4, and turned to jazz in his teens.
Since then, he has established himself as a formidable bandleader, as well as one of London’s in-demand session pianists. He is part of a community of critically acclaimed musicians, focused on playing different traditional styles authentically, but also making a name for himself as an innovative composer and arranger. His versatility is reflected in the vast array of artists he has collaborated with, from across the genres, including legends from across the globe.
Thurgur is most known as the trombonist from the seminal folk group Bellowhead but for over twenty years he has also been at the heart of a wider international scene centred in London. Particularly, his nineteen years as the right hand man of Afro-Beat maestro Dele Sosimi and twenty-two years collaborating with fellow Funkiwala partner Kishon Khan, but he has also worked with such luminaries as Tony Allan, Giraldo Piloto, Julito Padron, Changuito, Pandit Dinesh, Cheick Tidiane-Seck, Fatoumata Diowara Nozrul Islam, Tony Kofi, The Levellers and The Selecter.
Throughout his career Thurgur has been committed to the idea of breaking down borders and creating music that explores the diverse global musical languages that have surrounded him in London and been part of his community.