Track of the Week “Soumbouya Ancestral Soul Remix” is by producer/DJ from the Central African Republic, Boddhi Satva. It is a smoky re-interpretation of the legendary “Golden Voice of Africa” Salif Keita and his 1994 offering "Sina (Soumbouya)". The track ushers us in with a beat that is quite unassuming at first, but as the anticipation builds, the rework of this enigmatic and dizzying track is quite brilliant. Peppered with horns, taps and synthetic notes that add new and fresh dimensions to the Malian classic, this is a collection that would please tastemakers and lovers of genre exploratio. In order to get the most out of this one, I would suggest first listening to the original tracks; the remix really comes alive when considering where its rooted to.
Vowing early on in his life to commit to making quality music with an impact, Boddhi Satva decided he was going to embrace his affinity for music and try something a little different. HIs approach was to meld African aesthetics with deep house, which he dubs "Ancestral Soul":
When music is the soundtrack of universal rituals – birth, graduation, marriage and ancestorship – that’s Ancestral Soul, says
"When music is simultaneously an intense argument between passionate lovers; an intense freestyle session between, or a revolutionary political speech by, live instruments – kora, piano, sax, flute, congas, cello, balafon and turntables – that’s Ancestral Soul."
"When music takes over the night, positive energy is in the air and the mysteries of the unseen come out – that’s Ancestral Soul; when music conquers spirits, electrifies bodies and no word is needed to seduce, to serenade, to heal, to love and to share – that’s Ancestral Soul; when deep house music has modern Congolese rumba as wife, West African voices as mistresses, and urban R&B and Afro-Cuban rhythms as occasional girlfriends – that’s Ancestral Soul."
Satva's career has been a dynamic one to say the least. Well-known for his innovative remixes of some of the best tracks out there, he has finally embarked on creating his own music. After 10 years of spit 'n polish, the first album, Invocation, released in 2012, was well-received by Vega Records and set him well on his way to becoming one of the most in-demand house DJs across the globe. Early 2015 sees a new album, entitled Transitions, on the horizon, which should be just as delightful and alluring as its predecessors.
