Photo: Sandra Polo
“Fantastic!
Cerys Matthews
BBC 6 Music
“My Meat Of The Week”
Huey Morgan
BBC 6 Music
“A righteous, compelling debut”
Mark Sampson
Songlines Magazine
Eparapo is an Afrobeat powerhouse, delivering electrifying rhythms & politically charged lyrics. Brought together by renowned bassist, composer & producer Suman Joshi & comprising of some of the biggest names on the global scene, the band is riding high on a wave of critical acclaim & captivated live audiences. They released their debut album Take To The Streets in August 2023 to a deluge of plaudits, including a 4 star review in Songlines Magazine & radio play on BBC 6 Music, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM & many more...
Since its release in late 2023 on the Wah Wah 45s label, debut album Take To The Streets has garnered rave reviews & a lot of radio play! It's been championed by the likes of Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Deb Grant & Craig Charles on BBC 6 Music & Robbie Vincent & Sarah Ward on Jazz FM. Songlines Magazine gave it a 4 star review & it's appeared on the webpages of countless online publications. The first pressing of the vinyl
sold out within 3 months!
The debut single released in late 2020 was a response to the killing of George Floyd & the resulting demonstrations across the US & the world. It was specifically a reply to the "all lives matter" backlash that inevitably followed.
The second single, released in August 2021, speaks about how world leaders describe poorer countries as corrupt while allowing criminal money to be funnelled through financial centres such as London every day. Hypocrisy on an epic scale!
Despite the political subject matter, the overarching message of the music is one of hope, resilience & joy. Our main goal is to make people dance! These remixes by the brilliant Sam Redmore & WheelUP are testament to that.
Originating in London in 2020 during the first lockdown, Eparapo started life as a studio-based project. Bassist, composer & producer Suman Joshi brought together a heavyweight line up of world class artists & musicians selected primarily from the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, of which he is a member, but also from legendary bands Afrik Bawantu, Lokkhi Terra & Sons Of Kemet.
With movement heavily restricted at the time, the majority of the writing, recording & mixing was done remotely. A template for this method of working was developed putting together a tribute to Tony Allen, who had just passed away, for the Boiler Room channel. Despite these constraints, & with a few tweaks & improvements to the process, a remarkably high level of audio & musical quality was achieved. Their debut single, "Black Lives Matter," was snapped up by highly regarded independent label Wah Wah 45s & quickly gained traction, catching the attention of luminaries such as Cerys Matthews & Robbie Vincent. With subsequent singles also garnering rave reviews, an album release became inevitable. "Take To The Streets" was unleashed in August 2023 to widespread critical acclaim.
The driving force behind Eparapo is bandleader Suman Joshi. He is a long time member of Dele Sosimi’s Afrobeat Orchestra & has performed on stage with the likes of Tony Allen, Seun Kuti, Ginger Baker & Laura Mvula. Featured prominently in the project is Dele Sosimi himself, keyboard player & musical director of Fela Kuti's Egypt 80, as well as a founding member of Femi Kuti’s Positive Force. The ensemble also features Ghanaian master drummer, vocalist & bandleader of Afrik Bawantu, Afla Sackey (Ibibio Sound Machine, Keleketla); cutting-edge saxophonist, composer & bandleader of Collocutor, Tamar Osborn (Akram Khan, Kelis); Kishon Khan, virtuoso keyboard player, producer & bandleader of Lokkhi Terra & Cubafrobeat; one of the UK’s finest & most in demand trumpeters, Graeme Flowers (Quincy Jones, Gregory Porter); Justin Thurgur, trombone player for Bellowhead & a key member of Dele’s Afrobeat Orchestra; & Natcyet Wakili, drummer for Steam Down & Sons of Kemet, as well as the creative force behind the NOK Cultural Ensemble.
Eparapo translates to join forces in Yoruba, the language of Afrobeat. In times of turmoil & division, a message of unity serves as a powerful form of resistance. It is a rallying cry, urging people to unite & stand together. Eparapo is also the title of a song by the late, great Tony Allen, the drummer famous for his groundbreaking work with Afrobeat originator Fela Kuti. Allen was a trailblazer, constantly seeking to push boundaries & innovate. The Eparapo project aims to honour his legacy & that of Fela himself by blending innovation, fusion & diversity while staying true to the music's core essence. The band also pays homage to the spirit of Afrobeat by serving as a platform for social & political commentary.
For any enquiries please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form or the details below.
Radio play from - Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music, UK), Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music, UK), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music, UK), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music, New Music Fix, UK), Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM, UK), Sarah Ward (Jazz FM, UK), Patrick Forge (NTS, UK), Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp Weekly, USA), DJ Ritu (Resonance FM, UK), Pete Buckenham (Worldwide FM, UK), Max "Jazzcat" Conti (Totally Wired Radio, UK), Mucho Soul (Totally Wired Radio, UK), DJ Kobayashi (Soho Radio, UK), Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK), The Pressure Drop Show (Radio Gold, UK), DJ Bunel (Yle Radio 1, Finland), Dave Bassin (Freefall Radio, USA), DJ Krzaku (Radio Kampus, Poland), Michael Stukes (Mystic Vybes WHCR 90.3 FM, USA), DJ Bunel (Yle Radio 1, Finland), Enrique Domenech (CKUT, USA)
"Punchy, exuberant... a righteous, compelling debut that recalls prime time Tony Allen."
(Songlines Magazine - 4 stars)
“My Meat of the Week.”
Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music, UK)
"Fantastic!"
Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“An album with a lot to say.”
Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM, UK)
"An essential message... yes to Eparapo!"
Patrick Forge (NTS, UK)
“Something hopeful & resilient.”
Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp Weekly, USA)
“A proper dope collection for the head & feet.”
Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM, UK)
“I feel the mission of this music is to provide a call & response to the important message of life through music, as in the words 'time to take to the streets'. We want to be able to get the message across as much as possible.”
Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“Great project & the artwork is gorgeous!”
Quinton Scott (Strut Records, UK)
“Inspiring!”
Francesco Sarcina (Radio 1, Italy)
“Fantastic LP. Will definitely get some play from me.”
Jason Palma (Higher Ground / Footprints, Toronto, Canada)
“Full on to the top.”
Måns Strömberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“Quality stuff!”
Chris Knight (Kilburn Garden Party, Scotland)
“Ace album, wicked Afrobeat vibes here.”
Marcin Harper (Czwórka Polskie Radio, Poland)
“I love it... great record!”
DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“Pure Fela legacy! Top sound.”
Oliver Korthals (Mojo Club, Germany)
“Long live King Dele!”
Chris Greenwood (Mi-Soul Radio, UK)
“Brilliant! On air, a must!”
Olgierd (Sofa Surfing, Poland)
“Excellent release!”
Jamal Ahmad (Jazz 91.9FM, USA)
“Powerful & urgent, one for 2023 best of list for sure!”
Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Lovin’ this!”
Mark Bailey (Radio Corax, Germany)
“Great this.”
Jon Brent (Dusk Dubs, UK)
“Really a fantastic album, all tracks are right up my alley.”
Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8, Germany)
“Great work by Suman & Dele!”
DJ Kobayashi (Batov Records / Soho Radio, UK)
“Nice one!”
Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio, Ukraine)
“Excellent album packed with Afrobeat gems!”
Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK)
“Nice one!”
Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“Loving this!”
Nicole Finnerty (Flex FM, UK)
“There’s a massive fire going on & it’s burning down the house!”
DJ Mr Lob (Various, Melbourne, Australia)
“Pure beauty!”
Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Just love the whole vibe with My Beautiful City as stand out track.”
DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“OOOF! Brilliant work from all involved. This is the toppest of top drawers!”
Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Love it!”
Chris Subtone (Mas Malo LA, USA)
“Riddims.. I played My Beautiful City at a festival recently, went down well.. Follow The Money is a forever message, who made fortunes off scaring people with the fake pandemic and harmful vaccines.. stay wise family, know yourself.”
DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)
“Essentiel! Biiiiig!”
Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Like it a lot... modern approach to Afrobeat & Afrojazz. What else to expect from a project like this!”
Tobi Kirsch (Faze, Germany)
“Brilliant, what a great album.”
Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves, UK)
“What a pleasure to find again Eparapo!”
Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krim, France)
“Love this connection!”
Ivan Mera (Higher Club, Spain)
“YES to political music! We need more of that!”
Eliana Ben David (Various, Berlin, Germany)
“Great selection of tracks. Has great depth and range. Great instrumentation and musicianship across the LP. Follow The Money is for me the stand out track. Although the sax on Black Lives Matter sounds better every time I listen again.”
DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Wonderful EP.”
Tony Heynen (Global Riddims, Belgium)
“Cool!”
Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Amazing Album!”
Enrique Domenech (Freeform, Spain)
“Great project.”
Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Nice!”
Hector Pizarro (Vallee FM, France)
“I join forces by meditation. Great, sometimes hypnotic vibes. Hard to pick a fave as everything seems to have the right place.”
Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Berlin, Germany)
“That’s the goooooood stuff I neeeeeed!”
DJ Breakplus (Various, Switzerland)
“Absolutely LOVE this album!”
Susanne Shwartz (Platinum Rye, UK)
“This is an absolute classic on first listen. Will be going with me wherever I DJ for some time I think.”
Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Def in my 2023 best album list!”
Martijn Barkhuis (Jazzrdeville.com, Netherlands)
“That’s the stuff!”
Mate (Radio Agora, Austria)
“Very well put together. Love these vibes.”
Roshan Ram (Guestlist.net, UK)
“Pure quality.”
Lorenzo Aldino (Jockey Club Ibiza, Spain)
“Uplifting stuff. Marvellous!”
Dan Wesker (Detector FM, UK)
“Wicked album... beautiful one.”
Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Excellent album.”
Rado Tomek (Nu Spirit Club, Slovakia)
“Nicely made.”
Jan Hagenkoetter (Infracom!, Germany)
“A delight to your senses from start to finish."
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“Back to the old school... lovely!”
Cal Gibson (Various, UK)
“Spectacular sounds.”
Sista Selecta (2Bob Radio, Australia)
“Beautiful!”
Mr Shiver (Various, UK)
“This one’s already in my LP collection. For me it’s up with the best from the year so far & we’ve heard some top sounds in ’23.”
Drummie Dave (Various, York, UK)
“It’s the closest you’ll get to The Shrine this side of Abuja.”
Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
“As a new Afrobeat band, London’s Eparapo takes several huge chances on their lengthier excursions. These veterans of playing with Tony Allen & Seun Kuti know how important that central “crossed” polyrhythmic figure is to creating space for further development. On the brassy opener “Follow The Money,” its William Onyeabor-ish groove hits its stride in the mellow portion allowing a blazing organ solo to really raise the temperature on this jam. However, it is the eleven-minute title cut that borrows some wild horn figures from the current London Jazz Underground, mixes them with some moody guitar chords, & somehow eases into a true Fela-esque potboiler. Even after several listens (which we must say, these cuts are purposely to get lost within) Eparapo does such a masterful job of controlling the ebb & flow, it always leaves you feeling like it still has not peaked yet.”
(Melomania.com, USA)
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