journal.wav No 1 – Fela Kuti Edition

journal.wav No 1

Fela Kuti Edition
feat. J.A.W. Family & Eli Pavel

As of today, the Fela Kuti x Carhartt WIP tribute collection, including the a limited edition reissue of the Fela Kuti – Live in Detroit 1986 recording, is available at HHV and we are in the midst oft he final preparataions for our release event tonight. In case you missed it – All the info you need is right here: HHV & J.A.W Family present Fela Kuti x Carhartt WIP Release.

The biggest support for this event is provided by J.A.W. Family, who have helped us put together the best possible DJ line-up possible this occasion and advised us with their extensive expertise regarding the the Afrobeat genre. The brainchild of three French music lovers, the event series and music-loving collective J.A.W was conceived in Paris back in 2005. Its principle ideology, to represent soul music in all its variations, in a live setting regardless of its roots (jazz, disco, electronic, Brazilian, gospel, hip-hop etc.) Over the years, the J.A.W family played host to renowned talents Larry Heard, Moodymann, Theo Parrish, Marcellus Pittman, Omar S and Sadar Bahar throughout the French capital.

From 2009 onwards, J.A.W brought their soulful practices to Berlin, hosting both live acts and DJs throughout various urban spaces with, among others, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Hiatus Kaiyote, Yussef Kamaal, Seun Kuti, Pharoah Sanders, Gogo Penguin or Makaya McCraven, alongside the likes of Floating Points, Theo Parrish, Four Tet, Gilles Peterson, Hunee, Antal, Ron Trent, Jeremy Underground, Jay Daniel, Volcov, and Waajeed to name but a few.

Thanks to J.A.W. Family, Eli Pavel will be one of our DJs tonight. Her journey to Afro Sounds and Fela Kuti took a few detours over the course of her life, whereas today she is considered an expert of the genre. When she was 12 years old her sister got her her very first record – »Boys Don‘t Cry« by The Cure – and at 15 she discovered her love for New York hardcore bands. During her studies she preferred music that was experimental but more electronic, especially Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Ninja Tune and Warp were her thing. Eventually, Eli started DJing in clubs and, inspired by the exchange with other DJs, started researching the origins of the samples in the tracks. From then on she collected different genres, moved to Berlin, started working in a record store and went on a musical self-discovery trip, kind of.

This ultimately led her to African Music, one of the most formative origins of the music she had played and loved for years. Eli Pavel has made a name for herself in the Afrobeat and Afro Sounds scene and was invited to take part in the NTS special Fela Kuti Day, where she did a radio show presenting a beautiful Fela Kuti tribute mix, which is perfect for getting in the right mood for tonight.

Besides Eli Pavel we’re very happy to host DJ Nomad and Massimo Di Lena – one half of the Nu Guinea Crew – tonight, all of them will grace us with exquisite vinyl only sets that we can’t wait to hear.

See you tonight!