AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #69: DELE SOSIMI

Cover artwork by DJ Underdog.

Dele Sosimi is one of the most important voices in the current afrobeat scene. After spending several years playing keyboards for Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 and acting as the musical director & bandleader of Femi Kuti’s Positive Force, Dele now regularly plays with his own Afrobeat Orchestra in London.

Much like the influences on his latest record You No Fit Touch Am (his first album in over a decade), Dele’s selections on his Africa In Your Earbuds mixtape are packed with socio-political messages and guided by classic 1970s Nigerian afrobeat, Ghanaian highlife, Cameroonian funk and South African jazz. The high-flying mix runs through tracks from K. Frimpong, Manu Dibango, Hugh Masekela and Fela himself.

“These 10 tracks were selected specially for a reminder to all of the joy in the diversity of music,” Dele tells Okayafrica about his mixtape. “Starting with ‘Awareness’ and ending with ‘Long Ways from Home.’ The inspiration behind the selections come from the state of affairs world wide today, negatives and positives.”

“Without challenges, we will not realize potentials we possess to overcome, progress, evolve and live together. Listen to the music and let it speak to your souls, massage away your aches and recharge your whole being in a positive way.”

Stream AIYE #69: Dele Sosimi, recorded live at a vinyl DJ session with Koichi Sakai at Dalston, Hackney’s Ghetto Lounge Studios, below.

TRACKLIST

1. Monomono - "Awareness Is What You Need"

2. K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas - "Hwehwe Mu Na Yi Wo Mpena (Look and choose your woman)"

3. Jonas Gwangwa & Africa Explosion - "Going Home"

4. Fela Kuti - "Gbagada Gbagada Gbogodo Gbogodo"

5. Haruna Ishola - "Pariboto Riboto"

6. Rail Band - "Nantam"

7. Orchestra Baobab - "Kelen Ati Leen"

8. Manu Dibango - "Senga"

9. Ramblers International - "Grazing In The Grass"

10. Hugh Masekela - "Long Ways From Home"

Catch Dele Sosimi at the Soundcrash Funk & Soul Weekender May 13-15 alongside Roy Ayers, Afrika Bambaataa & more.

Get more African mixtapes from Africa In Your Earbuds:

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