Afronaut is Orin Walters of Bugz In The Attic fame. Misa Negra is one of the various Bugz side projects of Daz-I-Kue and Kaidi Tatham. So that is three Bugz out of the nine (at last count) inputting into this with Babalola, whose CV includes associations with Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers.

This 12" has come in a month when, candidates for 'This Month's Must' are becoming too numerous to list. It's the third in a series which is similar in concept to the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble Projects, except top broken beat producers have been brought in over here. On 'Oba Awon Oba, percussionist Babalola's drum workout is stripped to the bone with added synth and a couple of Bugz trademarks to compliment the vocals to create a dancefloor classic for your CO-OP club nights at Plastic People.

Accapella and beats versions are is added for you DJ/sample types but the dub and instrumental versions are equally serious as the a-side; particularly the instrumental with some Bollywood percussive influences.

The second 12" was reworked by Co-Op stalwart, I.G. Culture who got his NSM broken beat hands on 'Aso-Keke'. More African drumming and chanting was held together with some synth-efx and there's a long break at the end where he's just left it alone. This mix subsequently appeared on the Gilles Peterson's compilation 'Gilles In Africa' and as the Ed says, "it wears its African roots well." Huge at CO-OP. The mix by Le Pico is in similar territory but goes for a more percussive-chant-tribal house approach.

Apparently, 'Aso-Kere' is a Yoruba tribute song to Esu Elegba, (the "Icon of the Crossroads") a powerful figure who governs choice and is the messenger between humans and the spirit world. Elegba is also known as a trickster who often sets obstacles in the path of those trying to make a decision. Legend has bluesman Robert Johnson got into bed with the devil, but it's said it was more likely to have been Elegba.

Lekan Babalola had been gigging at the time of 'Aso-Kere's release in Birmingham, Budapest and the V&A Museum (Black History Month). You get the idea of what the live band sounds like as the 12" includes the original of 'Aso-Keke' and it's a vibrant raw afro-jazz party. And there's a bonus track called 'Oososi' which is straight jazz with some beefy saxes.

The first 12" in the series was called 'Oye' (Goddess Of The Whirlwind) and came with broken beat, Brazilian and chill out mixes plus the original version. This came out last August so isn't it about time we saw some hint of an album by now? Hopefully it won't be too long after 'Oba Awon Oba' hits the streets.

Reviewed:
'Oba Anon Oba' (inc Misa Negra v. Afronaut Mixes) Cat. No. OYE3 (release date: 25 May 2005)
'Aso-Kere' (inc I.G. Culture and Le Pico Mixes) Cat. No. OYE2 (release date: Feb 2005)

Links:
Bugz In The Attic
CO-OP
51 Lex Records am. Admission is free.