Cubafrobeat

"A Toral Stonking Blinder" **** All About Jazz

"A Fusion lover's dream " **** Songlines Magazine

Playlisted - Jazz FM

Funkiwala Records presents the third in the series of "Lokkhi Terra meets"albums, with the London fusionistas creating another unique sound-clash, this time with ex-Fela Kuti keyboardist and legendary UK Afro-beat ambassador Dele Sosimi, and members of his critically acclaimed Afro-beat Orchestra.

This particular collaboration has been bubbling away for a few years now, teasing audience expectations with a handful of sold out shows each year in between both bands busy schedules.
Featuring the two pianos of Kishon Khan and Dele Sosimi – Cuban percussionists/vocalists Geraldo De Armas (Yoruba Andabo), Oreste Noda (Ariwo), Javier Camilo (Ibrahim Ferrer) - a horn section led by Justin Thurgur (Bellowhead) featuring Yelfris Valdes (Sierra Maestra) and Graeme Flowers (Kyle Eastwood) to name a few – this is an All-star cast.

Kishon Khan's Lokkhi Terra have over a number of years now been quietly establishing themselves as one of London's more unusual heavyweight outfits, described as "Stunning Headliners… A majestic multi-cultural blend of sounds… effortlessly builds bridges between rolling Indian raga rhythms, Afro-Cuban grooves, Acid Jazz/funk and free flowing improvisation" (Timeout London). Included amongst the band members are London's top Cuban musicians, adding their infectious rich musical history to the city's melting pot.
When the band wanted to explore Cuban links with another of their favourite traditions, Afrobeat, who better to bring in then one of the Afrobeat originators – maestro Dele Sosimi – "Sosimi creates some of the most bewitching grooves in modern African music" E Jazz News.
Bringing together two Yoruba speaking musics - with different accents, from different sides of the Atlantic - Havana meets Lagos in London – A Cuban-Afrobeat-Experience. CUBAFROBEAT.

A1. Afro Sambroso (K. Khan/J. Thurgur/D. Sosimi/O E Noda Fernandez)
A2. Timbafro (E. Diaz/K. Khan/J. Thurgur/D. Sosimi)
B1. Cubafro (K. Khan/J. Thurgur/J.Camilo))
B2. Rumbafro (K.Khan/J. Thurgur/G De Armas Sarria/D. Sosimi)

Musicians

Kishon Khan – Piano, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes
Dele Sosimi – Vocals, Fender Rhodes (A1, B1), Chekere
Justin Thurgur – Trombone, Bv's
Graeme Flowers – Trumpet
Oreste Noda – Congas, Bv's
Javier Camilo – Vocals, Percussion
Geraldo De Armas Sarria – Vocals, Bata, Quinto
Suman Joshi – Bass
Tansay Omar – Drums, Timbales (A1)
Phil Dawson – Guitar
Sarha Gure – Bv's (A2)
Oscar Martinez – Timbales (B1)
Ayunwala Ogungbe – Talking Drum (A2)
Yelfris Valdes – Trumpet (solo A1), Flugel Horn (solo B2)
Simeon May – Alto/Tenor Sax
Ben Plocki – Bass Sax
Lewis Evans – Flute
Rob Lavers – Baritone Sax (B2)

Music arranged by K. Khan
Horns arranged by J. Thurgur
Recorded at Fish Factory, London by Sean Douglas and Simone Gallizio
Mixed at Hi Street Studio, London by Mauro Caccialanza
Mastered at Gearbox Records, London by Caspar Sutton-Jones
Final mastering tweaks by Mike Pela (Cd and download version)
Produced by Kishon Khan

Album artwork by Siobhan Bradshaw
Initial album design by Inshra Russell
Final album design by Julia Lowe