Photo credit: Jimel Primm
January 18, 2024: Today, revered producers and multi-instrumentalists Karriem Riggins and Madlib released “Massamba Afundance,” the second single from their upcoming Jahari Massamba Unit album YHWH is LOVE (out March 1st via Law of Rhythm). So far the full-length has been praised by Pitchfork, The FADER, Hypebeast, and Stereogum, who described the first single “Stompin Gamay” as “a heady melodic exploration that’s rooted in a deep boom-bap groove. Over a slow-rolling bassline, we get flutes, pianos, and vibraphones taking off into space.”
Listen to Jahari Massamba Unit “Massamba Afundance”
“Massamba Afundance” is a joyous celebration of lively harmonies, energetic percussion, and a diverse blend of Brazilian influences. This single invites you to immerse yourself in the infectious enthusiasm of music and have a-FUN-dance.
Riggins and Madlib were first introduced nearly 20 years ago by their late mutual friend and collaborator J Dilla, going on to collaborate on Madlib’s 2007 album Yesterdays Universe and together as Supreme Team. Jahari Massamba Unit started as a natural extension of Riggins and Madlib’s relationship and mutual appreciation for each other’s artistry. The two producers would send beats back and forth until eventually, Karriem didn’t have anything new to share. Instead he began sending raw drum loops, which were returned back to him with overlaid beds of harmonies and melodies by Madlib. This was the creation of a new body of work from the two cherished collaborators.
YHWH is LOVE will be Jahari Massamba Unit’s second record, and has been highly anticipated since their first album Pardon My French was released in 2020. Pitchfork said Pardon My French “sounds like experimental jazz and feels like a beat tape,” while Rolling Stone called it “a brand-new LP that sounds like it could have been fished out of a dusty dollar bin.”
YHWH is LOVE will be released March 1, 2024 via Law of Rhythm.
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