Awale

Awale is a London-based Afro Gipsy beat project. Its music is built around turns and cycles of different lengths, using a polyrhythmic approach that brings together elements associated with Ethiopian funk, afrobeat, Eastern European music and minimalism. The act takes its name from the African game of the same name.

Origins and development

The project begins when French musician Thibaut Remy develops a set of pieces called “Afronine”, drawing on afrobeat while using an irregular groove. Oreste Noda, a Cuban conga player known for work with Ska Cubano and Hugh Masekela, hears the material and joins in on percussion. That collaboration leads to further writing and to a larger line-up built around players from the London jazz scene.

Line-up

Alongside Remy and Noda, Awale includes drummer Ben Reynolds, saxophonist Ben Somers, trumpeter Joe Auckland, bassist Will Collier and vocalist Badia’a from Tunisia. Reynolds has worked with Jaqui Dankworth and Fraud, Somers with Dub Colossus and Dr John, Auckland with Madness, and Collier with Jamie Cullum.

Style

The group’s sound combines Afrobeat with influences from across Europe and Africa, alongside jazz instrumentation and vocals. It presents itself as a collaborative London ensemble with a mix of styles and musicians from different backgrounds.