Review: Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21 - The Confluence (Wah Wah 45s)

Hot on the heels of his launch party show at the Jazz Cafe (London), the new Wah Wah 45's album by Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21, 'The Confluence' is out now.

Battling with loads of other Bandcamp Friday releases, this does stand out not only as it's meeting of Afrobeat legend, Dele Sosimi with Sam Duckworth (once aka 'Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly') it's the start “The Estuary 21” (see review of the single, 'Ride Out The Storm' / 'Mo Ṣe B’ọ́lá Tán' HERE). 

Since the connection with Wah Wah 45s, Dele has linked up with diverse musicians as The Milk, The 'meets' Prince Fatty & Nostalgia 77 project (Nostalgia 77 having just released their new album on Jazzman, review HERE), Lokkhi Terra, Eparapo and Medlar so we should not be surprised that The Shrine meets Southend-on-Sea at 'The Confluence'!

The six track have a stong afrobeat/pop sound, particualary the single and 'Open Up' which also features UK jazz legend and Essex resident, Snowboy (aka Mark Cotgrove - last seen live in Dorset at the time of his last LP, 'New York Afternoon' with the Latin Section).

Other highlights for me are 'Ori Mi' and 'Òt​í​tó Ti J​áde' but this is such a great production, all I can think is that we need the longer versions!

I'll save the story as to how Dele Sosimi got involved with Wah Wah 45s' Dom Servini for another day, but back in 2005 he was telling me of his philosphy "Any music that has that little twist, a bit of added spice that separates it from the norm is alright by me." (see Interview HERE); 'The Confluence ' has that "added spice" and it's more than alright by me too!

Artist: Dele Sosimi & The Estuary 21
Release: The Confluence
Release Date: 7th April, 2023
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP022 / BANDCAMP