Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
€4EUR or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of Atlantic River Drive
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
ships out within 7 days
€14EURor more
A special vinyl box set to get your healthy dose of afro-minded dance music
It includes the 4 latest vinyl releases from Mawimbi Records:
James Stewart Feat Ayuune Sule - Atlantic RIver Drive
Raz & Afla - The Cycle LP
Onipa - Open My Eyes EP (inc. remixes from Krywald & Farrer, Mr. Boom, Tom Excell)
Jallly Kebba Susso - Freedom LP
Includes unlimited streaming of Atlantic River Drive
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
James Stewart is the host, resident DJ and promoter of monthly night “Black Atlantic Club” in Lyon & Grenoble, France. Borrowing the term “Black Atlantic” from renowned scholar Paul Gilroy’s 1993 book, Stewart presents “black music” as a transnational, incredibly diverse cultural exchange. An avid lecturer, blogger, DJ and radiohost on the subject of “black music” for many years, James Stewart eventually started producing his own music after taking on the congas in several cumbia and afrobeat bands. Delving in the rich and thriving music scene in Lyon, he was keen to gather around him a handful of talented musicians to contribute to the making of his debut EP, which came out in 2018 on Swiss tropical heads Alma Negra’s record label.
James Stewart comes back with his new EP « Atlantic River Drive » for Mawimbi Records, featuring two collaborations with Ghanaian kologo musician Ayuune Sule as well as two remixes from Simbad aka SMBD.
James Stewart met Ghanaian kologo musician Ayuune Sule, after booking several shows of kologo music star King Ayisoba in Lyon. Stewart was quick to witness the bluesy tone of Ayuune’s voice and his kindness as a musician, despite his impressive stature. Quite logically, Stewart invited Sule to record vocals on two of his ongoing demos at Bruno Patchworks’ recording studio (Voilaaa, Mr. President, Da Break), with the idea of making a rather unheard crossover between traditional kologo music and contemporary styles that would both appeal to Ghanaian crowds and a Western audience. Stewart then had a number of his arrangement ideas re-recorded by a talented cast of musicians (see list of credits), resulting in a brilliant mix of acoustic and electronic textures, sounding both vintage and modern.
Nodding to Eddie Palmieri’s landmark record “Harlem River Drive”, “Atlantic River Drive” is a stomping dancefloor track, drawing from the 6/8 feel of kologo music and the energy of contemporary club music. The track can be read as a tribute to the musical cross-pollinations between the African continent and its many diasporas, which Stewart has dedicated a long part of his life to, while also a more intimate story about his life and family. All words were written by Stewart and then translated by Sule in his native Fra fra language from Northern Ghana.
“Where Are You Going?” is a two-part journey that reminds us that we should care about each other, about our communities while we don’t know what the future is made of. An important and much welcome message to navigate through these troubled, uncertain times. Referencing N’dombolo music, the track has two parts and rich arrangements, with its first part going deep with syncopated clarinet hooks and playful percussion parts, and its second part moving to a four-on-the-floor pattern and an entrancing baritone saxophone solo.
The EP also features Worldwide FM and Brownswood maestro Simbad, who delivers two dancefloor-ready reworks of the track “Where Are We Going?” under his SMBD moniker, turning it into a spiritual, dubby journey, as well as an emotional peaktime track.
credits
released October 23, 2020
A1 Atlantic River Drive (feat. Ayuune Sule)
Vocals and kologo: Ayuune Sule
Guitar: Francis Larue
Bass guitar: Etienne Kermarc
Backing vocals: Margot Delat
Keyboard, bongos, percussion, drums: James Stewart
A2 Atlantic River Drive (feat. Ayuune Sule) - Loya Remix
A2 Where Are We Going? (feat. Ayuune Sule)
Vocals and kologo : Ayuune Sule
Bass: Etienne Kermarc
Bass clarinet: Vincent Granger
Tenor saxophone: Eugène Gaumeton
Baritone saxophone solo: Jérome Bartholomé
Keys: Paul Charnay
Bongos: David Doris
Percussion, drums and all other instruments: James Stewart
Vocals recorded by Bruno « Patchworks » Hovart
Lyrics written by James Stewart and Ayuune Sule
Written and produced by James Stewart
Arranged by Mikael Touanen
Mixed by Nicolas Taite
Remix & Add Production by Simbad aka SMBD on B1 & B2
Mixed at Welcome Park Studios, Cape Town
supported by 14 fans who also own “Atlantic River Drive”
First moment when I heard this record (and read the title) I knew this would be my favorite, and it is. Congratulations for this amazing job of yours and thank you for sharing it with ours. Let the soul flow. Edit: No doubt about beauty in miscegenation. lorvg_eraeu
supported by 11 fans who also own “Atlantic River Drive”
The Busy Twist are at it again! surely one of the best Afro vintage sound remixers around at the moment, sweet Angolan guitar bangers of semba, merengue and rebita. Rebel Up SebCat
