Wema

The self-titled album is an intoxicating, dance floor indebted blend of traditional Tanzanian music, Afro-Latin rhythms and experimental electronic music, with the majority of lyrics sung in Swahili and Spanish. Its a smorgasbord of sounds, moods and textures that call on the very ethos of the band; the pursuit of cohesion and togetherness in a fractured world. Through this lens, WEMA is a near-spiritual listen, invoking the sacred sounds of their global influences. The tape-delayed vocal samples and sparse industrial clangs of Kande are reminiscent of the kind of deconstructed beats you might find in a closing club set. Bendir Bendirs pointillist soundscapes are juxtaposed with a warm chorus of Msafiris layered harmonies. Msafiri Jam Pt 2, with its uptempo percussion and atmospheric background noise, features the undulating hornwork of groundbreaking Afro-Cuban trumpeter Yelfris Valdes. Theres a palpable optimism running through WEMA; its raw, unfiltered music that is as danceable as it is soul-stirring.

Tracks

Details

Format: Vinyl LP
Artist: Wema
Release Date: 29 April 2022
Genre: World Music
Label: !K7 Records
Distributor: MGM Music