Dasein by Nyamekye Junction
Born of chance meetings in Accra, the band brings together a Burundian producer and vocalist, Betina Quest; with a Ghanaian singer-songwriter, Eli A Free; and a German percussionist and multi instrumentalist, Ma.ttic. Nyamekye Junction take their name from a bustling junction in the Ghanaian capital, where a number of major roads merge, embodying the musical approach of the band: a singular sound at the junction of their cultural heritages.
PRAISE FOR NYAMEKYE JUNCTION
(pronounced Na - yah - meh - chey):
Gilles Peterson - "Absolutely brilliant"
The Guardian - "Perfect for sunshine listening."
Vinyl Factory - "An enchanting, genre-hopping debut..."
Pan African Music - "A spiritual and political manifesto"
Resident Advisor - "Dubby, low-frequency vibrations meet West African grooves."
Ban Ton Ban Ton - "a superb debut.... providing a pathway out of the hell that humans have made for themselves"
ABOUT DASEIN
In Eli’s words, ‘Dasein’ (from the German for ‘existence’, ‘being there’), captures “the need to live in this moment here and now with a heart full of gratitude” while exploring a number of interlinked themes, including the importance of one's environment - cultural and political, as well as physical - in situating, shaping and explaining each individual’s identity.
Challenging lazy stereotypes of modern ‘African’ music as being synonymous with Afrobeats alone, Nyamekye blend synths and samplers with enchanting vocals and traditional West African percussion instruments like the Frikyiwa, Kpanlogos and Kayamba to produce a sound that is at once nostalgic and futuristic. Music threaded from many genres that is hard-hitting and meditative; undefinable and unrepeated; politically cutting and uplifting.
As betina quest says: "Nyamekye Junction sounds like nothing I have ever heard before. For a musician that's an exciting moment."
The band adeptly channel a wide range of influences, from the Ghanaian legends Ebo Taylor and Osibisa through to US mainstays such as Nina Simone and Erykah Badu; with equal regard given to UK innovators like Benjamin Clementine and Mala. The resulting debut EP ‘Dasein’ is a stunning collage which showcases the band’s impressive range and evolving sound by traversing a diverse range of moods, rhythms and textures.
Tracklist
| 1. | GMT | 4:23 |
| 2. | Eyes Don't See | 5:48 |
| 3. | Cloud 21 | 4:00 |
| 4. | Aduro | 7:37 |
Credits
All tracks written, arranged, performed and produced by
Nyamekye Junction.
betina quest: Synth, Vocals and Production
Eli A Free: Vocals and Frikyiwa
Ma.ttic: Drums, Sampler, Kpanlogos, Kayamba
Recorded at Smooth Groove Studios in Accra
Recording Engineer: Kofi Boachie-Ansah
Assistant Engineer: Nii Ayitey Chonia
Mixed by Tony Nwachukwu
Mastered & Lacquer Cut by Jason Mitchell
at Loud Mastering, Studio 1
A&R: Joe Doyle & Andrew Mensah
Artwork: Mark Greig
