Review: Raz & Afla - Echoes Of Resistance (Wah Wah 45s)

It's worth repeating, the label that is WAH WAH 45s is in its 25th year and the anniversary celebrations are ongoing and one such highlight is the full album release of Raz & Afla's 'Echoes Of Resistance'.

We're long term fans of the label and the singles previously released, 'What's Going On' (the Hectic extension being very exclusive at the moment), 'Ebo Be Me' and 'Shikor Shikor' (see review HERE).

Of course, the worry would be that is there any more gems left on the album?  Well, in short there is!

Raz Olsher (electronics) and Afla Sackey (percussion and vocals) have produced an even better album than Dom Servini was telling me at We Out Here Festival early in the year; Mr. Servini being the head honcho who has been almost everywhere for the past 25 years promoting the label.

Even a track with a multiple repeated chant of 'On Da Fone' sounds like a run-a-way double headed freight train - going down hill with a great wobble to it. And just when you think there's a rest on its way, 'Stefana' and 'We Taya' get busy - as we've just had Fela Kuti's birthday, 'We Taya' is a reminder of his influence and legacy.

It's been said, "There are moments of pure euphoria and unadulterated joy too though, as tracks like 'Mon Ni Fere', 'Voodoo Zeezee' and 'Baby Moo' inspire elated, tribal dance floor pleasure" and I'm not going to argue against that (especially 'Voodoo Zeezee') but when they really get down, 'Ano Be Mumu' is like a dirty dubstep verson of their sound and I can't wait to hear that on a proper sound system - I'm betting 'friend of Dele Sosimi' Medlar's already had the call! 'Voodoo Zeezee' too! 

Their debut album from 2022, 'The Cycle' was great but 'Echoes Of Resistance' is even better, [I can't overstate how good it is] and it's going to be the icing on Wah Wah 45s birthday cake this year.

Artist: Raz & Afla

Release:  Echoes Of Resistance 
Release Date: 25th October, 2024
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHLP031
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Raz & Afla - Shikor Shikor / Eno Be Me (Wah Wah 45s)

As you'll have noticed, the WAH WAH 45s 25th anniversary celebration is at it's peak this month and here's a couple of party tunes from the label.

We're long term fans of the label as you can tell from the many reviews on YATM and this is another excellent release.

Raz Olsher (electronics) and Afla Sackey (percussion and vocals) have settled nicely into the Wah Wah 45s Afro-beat section along with Shrine 'legend', Dele Sosimi, Soothsayers / Youthsayers, Eparapo, Léa Mondo and more.

'Ebo Be Me' (nothing to do with the former Roxy Music/producer/ambient family) has some heavy 80s pop synth in it which makes it ideal for radio plays whilst 'Shikor Shikor' is the run-a-way train percussive groover with Afro-Anglo vocals, its dancefloor ready.

Both tracks are in original and vocal formats which is ideal for the DJ community and there's a little bird that tells me a certain Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s top man, Jazz FM, Soho Radio and many more) has been playing out the Hectic Extension of the previous single, 'What's Going On' at special times in his set.

These tracks are taken to the follow-up to their debut album from 'The Cycle' in 2022, 'Echoes Of Resistance' is due out next month so stay tuned.

Artist: Raz & Afla

Release: Shikor Shikor / Eno Be Me 
Release Date: 27th September, 2024
Label: Wah Wah 45s
Catalog Number: WAHDIG193
Format: Digital / BANDCAMP