London Jazz / Reggae crew Dojo have just released a new video for ‘Madiba’, and we’re delighted to premiere it right here on Backseat Mafia this morning. The band formed when Hammond Organ for hire Ben Cormack who recruited Robin Porter, winner of the George Murphy Trophy for Jazz Saxophone, and V-Drum World Championship finalist Conor Bailey before expanding it with a crack team from all around the world.
Of the track, Ben says “Madiba is an abstraction of the story of Nelson Mandela and his battle against apartheid. The song was written when we were regularly playing with the daughter of an ANC freedom fighter, so this song has always meant a huge amount to us. What Mandela achieved was truly astonishing, but what we’ve always found difficult to comprehend is the patience and determination he exercised under staggering repression.“
Madiba is this rather beautiful reggae shuffle at its outset, with just organ and stripped back drums along with snatches of bass providing the accompaniment After the little trombone melodic line at the beginning. It’s not long before everything starts to flower though, muted trumpet and the horn section signalling a change in speed and intensity. Decorated with memorable melodies and lovely languid vocals over the top, it’s memorable, and the frankly incredible jazzy guitar solo arts just that little bit of spike to proceedings before it ebbs and flows to an extended conclusion.
Check out the band in action, here
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