Soul Slayerz: “A Mother’s Tongue”

Often forgotten during discussions about the DNA of House music, African rhythms have subtly dictated the groove ever since the genre evolved beyond Disco and stood up on its own. Just a quick listen to Tony Allen’s inspirational drumming on Fela’s more uptempo tracks surely provides the proof.

N’Dinga Gaba is one of a number of artists championing the “Afro-House” sound, which is getting more and more attention thanks to the emergence of South Africa as House music’s latest global hotspot. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Gaba’s label Global Diplomacy was a new name to me, but one listen to the imprint’s 9th release provoked a classic “where have you been all my life?” reaction.

Soul Slayerz is made up of Tayo Wink and Hakeem Syrbram, two New Jersey natives clearly well-versed in Afro-Latin music. With spoken word lyrics sure to hit home with members of the African Diaspora, “A Mother’s Tongue” is a potent, percussion-led track with palpable movement and energy. N’Dinga Gaba himself steps up for the remix, adding warm, sympathetic chords which further accentuate the message of those words. Instrumental versions of both tracks are included in the package, sure to create some very special moments on the dance-floor. Food for the mind, body and soul.

Out: Digital via Traxsource and Juno Download.