This is the background story relating to the pre release and free download. It was released to celebrate Obatala. Our release is a collaboration with Candomblé Artist, Ricardo Axé and mixed by London based producer Raf Riley. We chose Raf because of his particular sound and the fact that he is London based. The Edit of the Video was enabled by young film maker currently in his last year of film school, Leo Durrant. Artwork was supplied by long time collaborator, artist Jacob V Joyce.
My idea was to record three songs from three areas of Orisha worship to demonstrate how we are connected. We recorded short sequences dedicated to the Orisha Obatala/Oxala/ Orisha nla Have a listen to the below tracks. You will agree how remarkable it is that despite the passage of time, space, repression and trauma, the recognisable similarities are astonishing.
The first from West Africa:
the second from Cuba
Baba Fururo Abbilona with Lyrics
and the third from Brasil.
We sent the tracks to Raf Riley and let him add his creativity. Then I wanted to demonstrate the similarities in Video form, and tried to cram into just over two minutes, Obatala in all forms natural, in the animal world, personalised within the priesthood, within ceremony and dance.
More about Raf Riley: Raf Riley’s Soundcloud Raf’s Site
Rafael Greifer, better known by his stage name Raf Riley, is a record producer and artist from North London. He was formerly a member of ExR alongside Etta Bond, and is signed to OddChild Music with releases on Diplo’s renowned Mad Decent label. Raf Riley has worked with many artists including Professor Green, Labrinth, Diplo, Naughty Boy, Dr. Luke, Plan B. and Mike Skinner.
More about Ricardo Axé
Ricardo is a Brasilian Candomble practitioner, dancer and percussionist who has occasionally taught us some beautiful sequences for Orisha, Brasilian style. He is well known on the Maracatu scene in Brighton.
Leonardo Durrant
Leo is a talented up and coming film maker who is at his last year at Croydon College studying film making. Remember where you heard about him first!!!
Watch the video on Tube:
and free download
Listen to soundcloud Download from Bandcamp
Everyday thoughts of a Lucumi Choir Director 