Auntie Flo & Esa - Uganda (Highlife World Series)
Auntie Flo and Esa are back with the third and final installment of the Highlife World Series. The Highlife World Series is a collaborative project in which Auntie Flo and Esa traveled to Cuba, Kenya and Uganda, creating tracks with local artists. Auntie flow hails from Glasgow while Esa Williams is from Cape Town. For the past few years they have both been an integral part of the Glaswegian music scene, though now they both reside in London. Not only does this project shed light on talented artists from around the world, all the proceeds from each release will be sent back to their respective countries to fund further musical endeavors.
Doadoa14 features an incredible baseline layered with a soothing vocal performance from Christopher and thumping afro jazz grooves.
Esa’s 12’ mix of Sanitary’s “Min Kula’ fuses traditional East African instruments such as the kalimba, with layered vocals and a booming baseline. With the addition of a rather mischievous piano riff, this track is sure to keep you moving.
The record allows its self to breath with 'Africa Ni Lea' (Africa is today). A crisp track bursting with optimism. The guitar riff merges with the vocals allowing beautiful harmony along with smooth drum grooves rolling beneath. This track seamlessly combines organic and synthetic sounds, which I believe is what this project is all about.
The Record ends with Behrs remix of ‘Africa Ni Lea’. This track really turns the original on its head. Although this version ditches the prosperity of the original, it takes the track to a far darker place, resulting in an intriguing sonic experience.
A collaborative project of this nature will always bear interesting results and Highlife World Series Uganda certainly did that. If you like what you hear make sure you check out the rest of the series as well the blog that goes with it.
3.8/5
Words by Tobias Young