Xhosa Cole - Ibeji

2022

Following his celebrated debut K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us in 2021, Cole’s new project features a series of disparate saxophone and percussion duets, set alongside exerts of conversations and interviews between Cole and his seven collaborators woven into the narrative of the album. Ibeji takes its name from the Yoruba orisha (West African spirits) for ‘twins’, exploring the themes of duality, double consciousness, codes, clave, masks, brotherhood, ancestors, rituals, racism, identity, and the diverse expressions of African traditions and music throughout the diaspora.

Recorded in his home city of Birmingham, the album brings Xhosa together with percussionists Adriano Adewale, Lekan Babalola, Jason Brown, Corey Mwamba, Mark Sanders, Ian Parmel, and his brother, Azizi Cole.

A collaboration that strikes deeply with Cole is with NYC drummer Jason Brown. “A pillar of the London and New York jazz scenes - every conversation with Jason challenges me to strive for a higher level of authenticity and integrity - two of the driving forces that keeps this music alive.” Andy’s Shuffle brings them both together to celebrate the legacy of the late Jamaican-born and Birmingham-based saxophonist Andy Hamilton MBE. “His branches reach many British jazz musicians, including Shabaka Hutchins and Soweto Kinch. ‘Jazz is about reincarnation’ - wise words from Uncle Lekan that have resonated a lot with me and helped to contextualise my voice within the vast family of jazz and African diasporic music. I'm acutely away that much of my musical language can be traced back to the innovations of some great black musicians from across the globe. In many ways this track is the bridge from my first record into this new, broader sound-space.”

The title track, meanwhile, is at the heart of the whole Ibeji album. “When brainstorming together, Lekan Babalola hipped me to the Yoruba orisha word for twins – ‘Ibeji’ - the perfect name for this project. The album explores the concept of duality that is integral to Yoruba concepts and culture. The duality of two musicians, of the musician and the instrument, of the music and the dancer. Lekan taught me this tune from his childhood and it felt like a great way to end the record. Lekan’s percussion parts were all recorded at his studio and being in the room hearing him build layers of the clave and percussion that make this deep rhythmic structure was something I’ll never forget.”

All Roads has even closer ties for Xhosa, working closely with his brother, Azizi. “All roads lead to the same destination is one of my brother’s trademark lines. I couldn't think of a better way to sum up the work on this album – in this instance, all of our roads lead back to the heart of the great continent of Africa. This piece sums up the great blessing of our connections, between brothers, family, friends and community in all is numerous forms! Improvisation is at the heart of my artistic process and walking into Sansom Studios with a car full of gear and no plan was the generative for this piece. There is no creative process like working alongside family and the joy of this track is reflects the delight of creating in a space with someone who shares a lifetimes worth of references.”