Phil Dawson, UK guitarist and producer, learned his trade with legends like South African jazz trumpet giant Hugh Masekela, Nigerian Afrobeat co-creator Tony Allen, Ethio- jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, and Ghanaian afro-rock dons Osibisa as well as a large handful of Brit Jazz and cultural fusion projects.
‘Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time’ creates a new blend of Afro- and Afro-Brazilian grooves, high-level improv and dub, and boasts an array of collaborators that push the music in new directions – spoken word artist Khadijatou Doyneh (Heliocentrics); saxophonist Tony Kofi (Abdullah Ibrahim, Jazz Jamaica, Cymande etc), top pianist Sam Leak (Aquarium), Afrobeat maestro Dele Sosimi, who vocalises in contexts he’s not been heard in before; progressive UK tenor player John Martin; Ruby Rushton’s Nick Walters on trumpet; Nigerian singer Biola Dosunmu (Estuary 17); Bellowhead and Dele’s horn arranger, trombonist Justin Thurgur, as well as a cameo from Tamar Collocutor. The album’s title paraphrases novelist Wole Soyinka in a plea to all not to throw away what their ancestors fought for – whether that’s through ignoring spiritual heritages, allowing ourselves to be divided and conquered, or turning a blind eye to contemporary injustices….
Track listing and info
Ghanaba
A tribute to master drummer and cultural fusion pioneer Kofi Ghanaba (Guy Warren) that spans Ghana highlife, hints of William Onyeabor, Joao Donato-style keys, and sections of both Elvinesque polyrhythm and baiao… featuring Tony Kofi on tenor sax doing his Pharaoh thing, and Rowland Sutherland with a dazzling flute solo.
Tony Kofi – tenor sax; Rowland Sutherland – flutes; Maurizio Ravalico – percussion; Matheus Nova – bass; Marius Rodrigues – drums; Phil Dawson – guitar, synth, Hohner clavinet
Ile (part 1)
Yoruba multi-vocals from Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu, together with mind-bending solos from Sam Leak (piano), John Martin (tenor sax) and Rowland Sutherland (flute) in a Kamasi-meets-late Coltrane mode, morphing into a vintage bossa stew and dedicated to the gods of abundance.
Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu – vocals; Rowland Sutherland – flute; John Martin – tenor sax; Justin Thurgur – trombone; Tom Allan – trumpet; Sam Leak – piano; Phil Dawson: guitars, electric piano, fx; Maurizio Ravalico – percussion; Basile Petit – double bass; Marius Rodrigues – drums
Pralaya
Cosmic interlude with a hint of ‘He loved him Madly’ that tectonically moves into electro- samba vibes.
Phil Dawson: guitars, electric piano, fx; Basile Petit: double bass; Maurizio Ravalico: percusssion; Marius Rodrigues: drums
Shifting Sands (Mainline)
A poem by Khadijatou, philosophising from her immediate surroundings in a backdrop of warped highlife guitar and ‘Filles de Kilimanjaro’-inspired Fender Rhodes with flute commentary from Rowland.
Khadijatou Doyneh – vocals; Rowland Sutherland – flute; Basile Petit – double bass; Phil Dawson: guitar, Rhodes; Maurizio Ravalico – percussion; Marius Rodrigues – drums
Now Rise Up
Bikutsi meets dub, building to a joyous cacophony of flute and percussion.
Nick Walters – trumpet; Rowland Sutherland: flute; Maurizio Ravalico – percussion; Phil Dawson – guitar, fx, electric piano; Matheus Nova – bass; Marius Rodrigues – drums
Ile (part 2) a.k.a Ile (Iyesa)
A unique blend of Afro-brazilian ijexa (iyesa) groove and Yoruba vocal from Dele and Biola, with a lyric on the spiritual side of hard work…
Dele Sosimi, Biola Dosunmu – vocals; Phil Dawson – electric piano, guitar, fx; Rowland Sutherland – flute; Maurizio Ravalico – percussion; Matheus Nova – bass; Marius Rodrigues – drums
