Soothsayers
Soothsayers are infectious, uplifting, irresistibly funky, and above all, supremely ‘musicianly’. Fat, rootsy grooves with a sprinkling of Afro jazz keep your feet moving, heart beating and soul alive. Seamlessly bringing together Afrobeat and Dub grooves whilst combining high quality musicianship with a lyrical message.
Led by Robin Hopcraft, trumpet and Idris Rahman, saxophone, both take on vocal duties along with Julia Biel.
Their reputation as a great live band and innovative studio producers has led to collaborations with top quality artists including a host of world famous Jamaicans. These include; Johnny Clarke, Cornel Campbell, Rico Rodriguez. Add to this great work with UK based artists Mad Professor, Dennis Bovell, Earl 16 and Manasseh, reveals the breadth of their talent and experience.
Soothsayers are signed to leading UK label Wah Wah 45s and the band’s sixth studio album ‘Tradition’ was released on the label in June 2018 with ‘Tradition Remixed‘ following in 2019.
Their new album, ‘We Are Many’ was released in November 2020. Work began in Sao Paolo, Brazil with bass player/producer Victor Rice, percussionist/singer Ligia Kamara, drummer Bruno Buarque, and guitarist Joao Erbetta and was finished with producers Wu-Lu and Kwake Bass in their South London studio, The Room.
It incorporates elements of dub, Afrobeat, jazz, and electronica, while lyrically exploring themes including; Trump, the increasing levels of violence towards Brazil’s native and indigenous peoples from the government, no-deal Brexit, and worker’s rights.
‘One of the finest slices of a Anglo Caribbean fusion since The Specials in their prime……artfully mixing in funk and Afrobeat to their deep dub’
★★★★
‘The grooves are solid, the playing immaculate and the three-part vocal harmonies the icing on the cake’
‘an album that is driven by horns from the heavens, heavy basslines and a groove that is more on time than the Swiss rail network. You will find it impossible to resist the urge to dance and sway to those fluid rhythms that will be absolutely at home in a sweaty venue on a Friday night’
‘The best thing about Soothsayers is that their sound constantly evolves … the defining element is now three part vocal harmony, which sweetens much of the work … the album’s overall feeling is one of optimism, and a belief that love conquers all.’
