Wah Wah 45s are very proud and excited to announce the debut album from Youthsayers – an ongoing and enduring South London community project, founded by Robin Hopcraft and Idris Rahman of our very own, legendary Afro-reggae outfit Soothsayers.
Youthsayers was established in 2016 and ever since has consistently provided free of charge opportunities for young people to come together, learn an instrument and perform music under the tutelage of Robin and Idris. This has been made possible, in part, through donations from local businesses and private benefactors, but also live fundraisers and now through commercially released music!
Don’t Blame The Youth, due for release on June 28th, is a snapshot of the current Youthsayers band, and recent alumni, who’ve gone on to form other bands in the world of jazz, reggae and beyond, including recent signings to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood imprint, Oreglo.
Over the course of eight tracks the band deliver their own unique takes on classic and contemporary pieces of music from the world of dub and Afro-jazz, including covers of Theon Cross, Fela Kuti, Cedric IM Brooks, The Fontanelles and of course, Soothsayers themselves.
The album also showcases the Youthsayers students’ own writing abilities, not only on their original composition, Citizens Not Subjects, written alongside Levitation Orchestra’s director and trumpeter Axel Kaner-Lindstrom, but also via a re-working of the Tommy McCook instrumental Tenor On The Call with lyrics re-written by Youthsayers’ clarinet player Giacomo Del Rei and re-named We Keep Playing, the debut single to be taken from the album.
Every single penny of profit from this LP will go directly to the Youthsayers project. If you would like to take part in the programme, or donate to the cause, please go to www.youthsayers.net.
Youthsayers are:
Bella Matthews – drums
Cammie Moir – guitar
Celeste Kojie – trumpet
Devin Brown – trumpet
Finn Öhrström – trumpet
Frank Black – bass
Giacomo Del Re – clarinet/lead vocals
Henry Asher – alto sax
Louis Dupin – trumpet
Maia Avery – alto sax
Max Garcia-Romans – trumpet Natai Campbell – tenor sax
Nico Biddulph – trumpet
Noah Black – baritone sax
Ollie Kelly- alto sax
Peyton Lewis Williams – guitar
Ross McGregor – guitar
Teigan Hastings – tuba
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music & Worldwide FM), CRAIG CHARLES (BBC 6 Music), Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired Radio), Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France), Nigel Wood (Dublin Radio 103.2FM, Ireland), Sven Thomschke (‘Limbo Rhythm’ radio show, Radio Z 95.8, Nuremberg)
Featured on Rádio Armazém’s “Sons do Guardinha” radio show and playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Nkpkj1oRYa6LxKTOoilEh
Featured on Jon Magnusson’s “It’s all about jazz” playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OGVtWqQCGVvzYUAWpAMgZ
Featured on Dublin City FM’s “Ear to the Globe” playlist: https://www.mixcloud.com/1032DublinCityFM/ear-to-the-globe-3rd-september-2024/
Featured on Qobuz’ “High-res new releases” playlist – open.qobuz.com/playlist/
“Very, very good. I like that a lot!” Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM)
“Such a cool project!” CRAIG CHARLES (BBC 6 Music)
“Great stuff!” Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM)
“Excellent album!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“How brilliant to have a full Youthsayers album – such a testament to the inspiration of Robin and Idris making this happen and to the young people who have visibly grown in skills and presentation since I have been aware of them. I have both been sent music by Robin and Idris and bought their vinyls to support but this is breakthrough and stand on its own however many feet stuff – so adventurous, cool, well played and composed and produced —- Enter centre stage!!” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)
“Beautiful project , powerful music! Full air support on my shows.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Amazing project! Will support on my new radio show.” Phil WJS (Wicked Jazz Sounds, The Netherlands)
“Hail, hail.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“Great album.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Been waiting for this, cant wait to play!” Nicole Finnerty (Kane FM, Ireland)
“Great project, exciting album.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Community goodness in full flight.” Sista Selecta (2Bob Radio, Australia)
“Killer, want them in Berlin!” Mike (Soulski Berlin, Germany)
“Great album and great concept! Wonderful!” Jason Palma (Footprints, Canada)
“We don’t want to miss the sound of a fantastic new collective of London talent.” (Dazzle Drums, Japan)
“Bien cuivré!!!” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Wow! Such a dynamic power. Superb hard driving sound. This is what I like with handmade music. Must be a great experience to see them live..” Oliver Korthals (Mojo Club, Germany)
“Wonderful record!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“What a great project, and the musical results are outstanding! Will play for sure on WRUV-FM.” Jay Paul (WRUV FM, USA)
“Amazing community project!!! and amazing music!! Respect!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Radio, Spain)
“Five Stars Album, wicked.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Lots to like on here. Will be playing on my “Random Jukebox” show.” Karl Phillips (Source 96.1FM, Ireland)
“Wonderful album!! Please expect lots of radio and club play from me on this. Wicked album!! Please express my thanks to Youthsayers!! Cool project and lovely recordings!!” Kid Hops (KEXP 90.3FM, USA)
“Superb lp. sounds so good. Ethiopia is a killer.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Cool project, cool album! Thanks a lot.” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Nice one!” Junior (Record Breakin, USA)
“All in all a nice album!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“I love this group and have been into everything they’ve put out and this is another killer album, with great production, musicianship and made with love!” DJ Mr Lob (Various, Australia)
“Nice ones.” Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“South London and surrounding areas, we are in safe jazz hands.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“Superb!” Ross Wakefield (Hideout Sessions Podcast, UK)
“Wonderful album – love it.” Jon Brent (Dusk Dubs, UK)
“Big up soothsayers and all the youth coming up shining thru.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)
“Lovely stuff!!” Cal Gibson (Various, UK)
“Kicks off with pure joyful energy and soon develops into one of the tightest, funkiest grooves of the year. Great live and now showing more than assured performances on this debut album release. Well done Soothsayers for making this amazing project happen, true sarf Landan community involvement – grassroots as it comes, congratulations Youthsayers on a smash release that will be reverberating around dancehalls & festival stages across the summer.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
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