Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang have released their first official video "Somebody" from their full-length debut, En Yay Sah, out now via Luaka Bop (Tom Zé, Javelin, Delicate Steve).
The band made their West Coast debut this summer, and made appearances at Bonnaroo '12 and SXSW '12 earlier this year. They recently played two packed NYC homecoming sets including a memorable CD release show at Ginny's Supper Club at the Red Rooster in Harlem.
The band will perform at Chicago World Music Festival on 8/26 - 8/27, and return to NYC for sets at MoMa's Sculpture Garden on Thursday 8/30, and Brooklyn's The Well on Friday 9/07 with Omar Souleyman.
Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang - Somebody video:
The video for "Somebody" remarkably captures the live vibrancy of Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang.
Director Matt Marlin explains, "My first conversation with Janka about the video was brief and to the point. 'house party,' he said. I smiled, and waited for more... but that was it. OK! So we threw a house party at Hasan's loft in Greenpoint (a 4th floor walk-up on what turned out to be the hottest day of the summer of 2011) and had an electric, unforgettable night...Janka is such a magnetic performer, he just explodes with energy when he's dancing to and performing Bubu Music...What results is a testament to his ability to transform any situation he is in into a transcendent and truly meaningful communal experience, one that we all who worked on the video that summer will never forget."
Janka Nabay recently released a national anthem for Ola Sesay and Ibrahim Turay, the only two athletes to compete for Sierra Leone in the 2012 Olympic Games entitled "Nar London."
Janka Nabay single-handedly radicalized bubu within his native country of Sierra Leone. He now resides in Washington, D.C. and plays with the first Bubu band ever in America, consisting of Doug Shaw (Gang Gang Dance, Highlife, White Magic), Jason McMahon & Jonathan Leland (Skeletons), Michael Gallope (Starring) and vocalist Boshra Al-Saadi.
"The unfamiliar has never felt so inviting." - Consequence of Sound
"... the band cooks up a backing for Nabay that sounds so intensely modern it's practically
futuristic." - Pitchfork
"'En Yay Sah' is easily the most auspicious -- and original -- debut album of 2012" - AllMusic
En Yay Sah Track Listing:
1. Feba
2. Eh Mane Ah
3. Tay Su Tan-Tan
4. Ro Lungi
5. En Yay Sah
6. Kill Me With Bongo
7. Somebody
8. Rotin
Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang 2012 tour dates:
(Dates and information subject to change.)
08/26/2012 - Chicago, IL - Chicago World Music Festival
08/27/2012 - Chicago, IL - Chicago World Music Festival
08/30/2012 - New York, NY - MoMA @ 6:30pm
09/07/2012 - Brooklyn, NY - The Well w/ Omar Souleyman
For the latest tour dates and information, please go to:
Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang Official Website