City Slang recording artist Sinkane will be performing & directing a special set of classic jams by 1970s Nigerian synth pioneer William Onyeabor, starting with The Barbican in London on 1 April 2014.

The core band for these tribute shows is Sinkane’s live band (Ahmed Gallab, jaytram, Ish Montgomery, and Jonny Lam) with Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Money Mark (Beastie Boys), and legendary Nigerian funk singers the Lijadu Sisters, who will also be performing some of their classic material, backed by Sinkane. This band will be joined in the UK by Damon Albarn, Ghost Poet, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Kele Okereke (Bloc Party) and others. The US shows will feature David Bryne, Alexis Taylor, Tunde Adebimpe, Luke Jenner, Joshua Redman and others.

“It has been an honor to work with some of my heroes”, Gallab explains. “William Onyeabor’s music helped shape the sound of Sinkane as have the musicians involved. Jason Trammell, Ish Montgomery, Jonny Lam, Pat Mahoney, Money Mark and I have become a family. This is a dream come true.”

Sinkane released his exceptional & unique debut album last year. ‘Mars’ saw Sinkane seamlessly blend deep, polyrhythmic grooves that refer as much to early 70’s underground soul as back to Sudan, Gallab’s home country, into a 21st century party record that acknowledges the international musical village in which we all now live.

His work on the William Onyeabor shows sees Gallab taking a break from creating the follow up to‘Mars’, which we can expect to hear in the not too distant future:

“I want to create universal music. A sound and feeling that everyone can enjoy because they can relate to the sounds and words. I feel like I’ve come close to creating that music on this next record.”

See Sinkane & collaborators recreate the works of William Onyeabor at the following shows:

1 Apr 2014- London @ The Barbican 
2 Apr 2014- Bristol @ Colston Hall
2 May 2014- Brooklyn, NY @ BAM
3 May 2014- Brooklyn, NY @ BAM
6 May 2014- San Francisco, CA @ Warfield
8 May 2014- Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre

http://sinkane.com/