Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Avale (2019)

Avale, a Jo Kunnuji Experiment collaboration with Gogoke (a band from Badagry Lagos Nigeria), is a cosmopolitan fusion of indigenous and contemporary musical elements. This project comprises of members from Nigeria, United States of America, South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo who have re-interpreted traditional Ogu music with jazz, gospel, pop and soul elements.

During his doctoral research at the University of Cape Town, bandleader Jo Kunnuji joined forces with the Gogoke band from Igbogbele, Badagry Lagos. Here, he honed his ear for ethnic sounds and upon his return, packaged the music into notations fleshed out by his band memebers (all professional musicians in Cape Town and Johannesburg South Africa) in creating a transcendental style ready to take the world by a storm.

The Jo Kunnuji Experiment aims to take their communal ethos, unique sound and cultural heritage to global audiences through the release of the band's new offering titled 'Avale'. Avale is the culmination of Jo Kunnuji's doctoral research, which focused on the ethnomusicology of indigenous Ogu music and instruments. The result is an album informed by a trained appreciation and brimming with African pride. Avale perfectly combines the familiar notative practices of modern jazz with polyrhythmic turns, percussive undertones, syncopated instrumentation and enchanting vocals. This music is best experienced live with a depth only palpable through shared spaces.

01. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Avale (4:13)
02. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Ano Whlen (4:44)
03. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Pentho (3:53)
04. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Mehe Wanu (4:06)
05. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Home Gble (4:44)
06. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Mautin Adokun (4:07)
07. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Adura Fun Afrika (6:13)
08. Jo Kunnuji Experiment - Awa Dagbe (5:39)