CD: Mean What U Say -The Drum Monologue Project: Tosin's "OneSheet":
As a composer and leader of his own group, HalleluJazz Project, the Nigerian drummer – Tosin Aribisala – has launched out another album to his credit. Having performed, recorded and toured with such mainstream acts like Julie Dexter, Femi Kuti, Talib Kwali, Taj Mahal, D’Angelo and Yerba Buena, to name a few, Tosin has fully come into his own with his second album, “Mean What U Say – Da Drum Monologue Project”, which is a follow-up to his successful debut.
PROJECT
Drum Monologue
The brainchild of Tosin Aribisala, “drum monologue” is an expression of polyrhythmic, groovy, lyrical and melodic phrases on the drumset. The elements of the monologue include the lyrical and groovy patterns that are specific to the Nigerian (Yoruba) percussion instrument called gangan - the “talking drum”; plus the fusion of jazz techniques for the creation of a hybrid musical texture. Other features of the drum monologue are choral embellishments with a voice ensemble and also a percussion ensemble. These nuances produce an exciting and inspiring orchestration - an amalgamation of cross-cultural influences that adds color and beauty to the whole performance.Q&A About the music:
DCB:
First, what motivated you to create a CD with this selection of songs?
TOSIN: Well, primarily i am a drummer; other aspects of my
artistic endeavor are secondary. Thus, i realized a while back that i can
actually create music from the drum - the drum being the source of an entire
composition and making every other thing revolve around or surround the drums.
In that way the drum speaks, sings, solos, and calls. Other elements like the
acapella/voice ensemble, chants and percussion ensemble play a supportive role
to what the "drumset" does.
DCB: The drums and beat sound both traditional,
and (at the same time) contemporary. I feel a sense of history in the
songs. The drums are talking. What are they saying to those listening?
TOSIN: The traditional aspect of the songs is a
reflection of where they come from and my own state of origin. Essentially,
the talking of the drum is historic and cultural in the sense that it speaks
of a particular people and the role of drum in the society. In my culture,
Yoruba, we play the "talking drum" in a way that communicates to the people
because sound of the drum mimics the language of the people. That is what
gave birth to my concept of Drum Monologue. Even if you don't understand
what the drum is saying you can still tell that there is a communication
going on, just like a town cryer sending a message to the people.
DCB: With the exception of the female vocalists, this appears to
be a solo album. My two favorite songs are the shortest on the CD,
"Funkee Tribe" and "Oyinmomo in Da Groove". I like
them, but would like to see how you would incorporate them into a tune with the
hallelujazz project involved. A horn and bass accompaniment would add to
already smokin' tunes, and expand them time wise. Will you be expanding the
musical format for the songs on the CD to include the rest of your hallelujazz
project band?
TOSIN: You are so right. Some of those songs actually have full band versions
with horns and rhythm sections.
DCB: Do you want to comment about the CD release party on June 22nd? I
understand it is also your birthday so it is an even more auspicious
occasion. Happy B'Day in advance of it.
TOSIN: The upcoming CD Release concert is going to be a two-part concert,
meaning that we will be performing band version of drum monologue pieces,
some soundtrack play-along for the drum monologue and some pieces from my
first album "what's on your mind". The songs from the first album have been
re-arranged and extended, some in a suite format. And i will be featuring a
larger group this time...a 10 piece band.
DCB: Where is the CD available for purchase?
TOSIN: The CD can be purchased at
www.cdbaby.com/cd/tosin and also through my website
(TosinMusik.com).
VIDEOS:
Tosin - Drum Monologue with Band Live! (2013)Tosin Aribisala "Drum Monologue" - Live @ Bossa (2009)
