This song imagines if Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti, the two fathers of 70s pioneering dance genres, met up and had a jam. After watching Tony Allen perform at Electric Brixton, bandleader and guitarist Jelly Cleaver realised
the similarities between disco and afrobeat guitar styles, since both genres are rooted in jazz. She brought the bare bones of a song which switched between afrobeat and disco to a band rehearsal, and after hours of jamming, What If Nile Rodgers and Fela Kuti Were Friends was born. Since the band met while jamming afrobeat classics at jams across the South London jazz scene, this song captures the positive energies and vibes of a jam with good friends, and is a tribute to the music legacy of these great musicians.
credits
from Builders Brew,
track released July 9, 2021
Vocals - Loucin Moskofian
Backing Vocals - band
Flute - Kasia Kawalek
Trumpet - Lettie Leyland
Alto Sax - Beth Hopkins
Guitar - Jelly Cleaver
Bass - Amy Gadiaga
Drums - Tash Keary
Production and writing - Jelly Cleaver
Co-production - Jess Camilleri
Mixing - Jess Camilleri
Mastering - Katie Tavini