New York, NY (Top40 Charts / MansMark Records) Two-time GRAMMY-Award winner Sikiru Adepoju, a Nigerian talking drum and other traditional drums master, is unveiling his new collaborative project The Riddim Doctors' with the album's vibrant debut single "Ajaja." Released via MansMark Records and distributed by DashGo, the song is available across all digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and more. Click here to listen.
Sikiru's brainchild, The Riddim Doctors is made up of himself and his brother Saminu Adepoju as well as
Peter Fujii,
Giovanni Hildalgo, Ian Herman, Richard Nagan, Femi Ojetunde and
Douglas Val Serrant.
"The Riddim Doctors is a project I started to continue to celebrate African roots music while also giving it new life and blending it with other flavors," Adepoju said. "'Ajaja' is the perfect first song to be released because it embodies the heart of the entire project. 'Ajaja' is a calling of the ancestral spirits, appreciating their contributions and presence as we celebrate life for a common good. The hope behind this album is to unite people in celebration of life and goodness."
"Ajaja" is a fresh take on legendary drummer Babatunde Olatunji's previously produced and released by Mickey Hart of Grateful Dead. The new version features his powerful lead vocals, combined with a careful blend of percussion and musical instruments created to lift the spirit of the listener. The song begins with a performance from Tabla drums king, Zakir Hussain and followed by the pop-styled vocal delivery of Bola Abimbola. The single and forthcoming nine-track album OPE, which means "give thanks" is releasing on MansMark Records, home to the final studio recordings of Olatunji.
MansMark Records exists to honor and celebrate the life of Babatunde Olatunji whose 93rd birthday commemoration is April 7 of this year. Its mission is to celebrate Olatunji's legacy by using his music to promote love, peace, and elevation of humanity. That is exactly what "Ajaja" does, and MansMark Records is excited for the world to hear this inspiring version of "Ajaja," especially at this crucial time as the world faces the Coronavirus pandemic. The hope is that the song serves as a healing remedy for the current weak spirit of the global community.
The infectious rhythms weaved into "Ajaja" permeate the entire nine-track album. The groovy project will feature stars including Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, Jeff Chimenti of Rat Dog and Dead & Company, Osam Ezzeldin, Paul Tao El-Shaddai, Joe Smith, Bola Abimbola, Audio
Angel (Rashida Clendening), Lindsey Schust, Jay Lane of Rat Dog and Sammy Fayoseh. The forthcoming album will release in spring of 2020.
MansMark Records is the home of the last official studio recordings of Babatunde Olatunji.
Prince Ayo Manuel Ajisebutu, founder of MansMark Records, is committed to upholding Olatunji's legacy by associating his work with music and projects that promote love, peace, and elevation of humanity. Babatunde Olatunji is from Ajido Badagry Lagos
State Nigeria. In 1992, he received a Grammy Award for his participation on Mickey Hart's Planet Drum Project.
To learn more, visit www.MansMark.com.
