For your consideration in the 63rd GRAMMY® AwardS
BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
Celebrated bandleader and multi-reedist Yacine Boularès is excited to present War Chant, the second release by the spell-binding ensemble AJOYO. 2015’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut AJOYO graced audiences with a vibrant eclecticism and social consciousness unparalleled in the jazz idiom. All About Jazz notes “the music exudes sophistication yet responds to a primordial pulse.” War Chant brings the same aural celebration of joy and life into a more focused call to action in the name of social and racial justice. The compositions in this release take aim at the oppression, xenophobia and greed that are running rampant in modern day America, combatting the lies and corruption being spewed from the Trump administration with an honest and refreshing musical diatribe. Boularès says. “Exposing people to our worlds and our own immigration stories develops empathy, regardless of their political views.” Alongside saxophonist/bandleader Yacine Boularès, the album features a deeply attuned working lineup with vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles, keyboardist/producer Jesse Fischer, bassist Kyle Miles (formerly with Marcus Strickland’s Twi-Life), guitarist Michael Valeanu (formerly with Cyrille Aimée) and drummer Philippe Lemm.
RAUL DA GAMA
WORLD MUSIC REPORT
"The new release – War Chant – with its exquisite balance and integration of melody, harmony and rhythm, composition and improvisation, exploration and tradition is superb and has been worth the wait."Read the full review here.
CHLOE MCCORNICK
BLACK GROOVES
"Not shy of musical confrontation, War Chant brings important messages regarding political misrule to the forefront, each scathing critique beautifully supported by jazzy rhythms from around the world." Read the full review here.
ADRIANE PORTECORVO
POPMATTERS
"It seems appropriate for the video to focus on Charles and Sotashe in the studio, swaying in synchrony as they make music together. This is what AJOYO is all about: the process, the exchange, the growth, and empathy that comes from fruitful creative coexistence. "Better Love" exemplifies AJOYO's work in every way." Read the full premiere here.
ANGEL ROMERO
WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL
"On War Chant you’ll find a remarkable mix of West African rhythms, Afrobeat, exquisite soulful vocals with exquisite jazz stylings and finely constructed overdubs, plus captivating contemporary jazz arrangements."Read the full review here.
AYANA CONTRERAS
DOWNBEAT
The vocalist and composer—now based in New York—grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, the child of a Haitian father and a mother with French-Canadian roots. Read the full feature here.
TRAVIS ROGERS JR
THE JAZZ OWL
"War Chant is a spiritual call-to-arms against oppression, greed, fear of others, and isolation—national and individual. AJOYO does it with grace and strength, intelligence and wit, and—most of all—a love and acceptance of who we are and who we should be." Read the full review here.
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AJOYO WON THE BEST WORLD MUSIC EP AT THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS 2020