Phil Dawson ٤-tet: Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time – A Celebration of Afro and Brazilian-Tinged Jazz

UK-based guitarist and producer Phil Dawson has unveiled his latest project, Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time (Release Date: 29/11/2024) , an album that weaves Afro and Afro-Brazilian rhythms with high-level improvisation and dub influences. Drawing from his vast experience performing alongside legends like South African jazz trumpet maestro Hugh Masekela, Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, Ethio-jazz innovator Mulatu Astatke, and the iconic Ghanaian Afro-rock ensemble Osibisa, Dawson brings a rich, cross-cultural palette to this ambitious collection. The album’s title, inspired by the words of novelist Wole Soyinka, serves as a reminder to honor the sacrifices of our forebears by acknowledging spiritual traditions, resisting societal divisions, and addressing contemporary injustices.

A Collaborative Musical Journey

The album features an extraordinary lineup of musicians, including spoken word artist Khadijatou Doyneh (known for her work with Heliocentrics), acclaimed saxophonist Tony Kofi (of Abdullah Ibrahim, Jazz Jamaica, and Cymande fame), and pianist Sam Leak from Aquarium. Afrobeat luminary Dele Sosimi adds vocal elements in novel settings, while contributions from jazz tenor player John Martin, Ruby Rushton’s trumpeter Nick Walters, and Nigerian vocalist Biola Dosunmu (from Estuary 17) enrich the album’s sound. Trombonist Justin Thurgur, a familiar name in Dele Sosimi’s band and the group Bellowhead, handles horn arrangements, with Tamar Collocutor making a special guest appearance.

Track Highlights

1. Ghanaba
   An homage to master drummer and cultural fusion trailblazer Kofi Ghanaba, this track blends Ghanaian highlife rhythms with shades of William Onyeabor’s Afro-funk and Joao Donato’s breezy bossa nova. The arrangement features complex polyrhythms, and Tony Kofi delivers a compelling tenor sax solo in the spirit of Pharoah Sanders, complemented by Rowland Sutherland’s dazzling flute work.
   Personnel: Tony Kofi (tenor sax), Rowland Sutherland (flutes), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Matheus Nova (bass), Marius Rodrigues (drums), Phil Dawson (guitar, synth, Hohner clavinet)
2. Ile (Part 1)
   Anchored by Yoruba multi-vocals from Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu, this track features electrifying solos by Sam Leak on piano, John Martin on tenor sax, and Rowland Sutherland on flute. With its Kamasi Washington-meets-late-Coltrane improvisations, the piece transitions into a lush bossa nova tribute to the gods of abundance.
   Personnel: Dele Sosimi, Biola Dosunmu (vocals), Rowland Sutherland (flute), John Martin (tenor sax), Justin Thurgur (trombone), Tom Allan (trumpet), Sam Leak (piano), Phil Dawson (guitar, electric piano, fx), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Basile Petit (double bass), Marius Rodrigues (drums)
3. Pralaya
   A cosmic interlude reminiscent of Miles Davis’s He Loved Him Madly, Pralaya morphs into an electro-samba groove, showcasing Dawson’s intricate guitar work and atmospheric effects.
   Personnel: Phil Dawson (guitar, electric piano, fx), Basile Petit (double bass), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Marius Rodrigues (drums)
4. Shifting Sands (Mainline)
   Khadijatou Doyneh delivers a thought-provoking poem set against a backdrop of warped highlife guitar and a Filles de Kilimanjaro-inspired Fender Rhodes soundscape. Rowland Sutherland’s flute provides a lyrical commentary that echoes the philosophical musings of the spoken word.
   Personnel: Khadijatou Doyneh (vocals), Rowland Sutherland (flute), Basile Petit (double bass), Phil Dawson (guitar, Rhodes), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Marius Rodrigues (drums)
5. Now Rise Up
   This track fuses Bikutsi rhythms with dub elements, culminating in a euphoric blend of flute and percussion. The arrangement is full of vibrant energy, with Nick Walters’s trumpet adding a striking melodic presence.
   Personnel: Nick Walters (trumpet), Rowland Sutherland (flute), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Phil Dawson (guitar, fx, electric piano), Matheus Nova (bass), Marius Rodrigues (drums)
6. Ile (Part 2) a.k.a Ile (Iyesa)
   This piece revisits Afro-Brazilian ijexa grooves with Dele Sosimi and Biola Dosunmu’s spiritual vocals, focusing on the sacred value of hard work. The track seamlessly blends traditional rhythms with Dawson’s evocative guitar and electric piano work.
   Personnel: Dele Sosimi, Biola Dosunmu (vocals), Phil Dawson (electric piano, guitar, fx), Rowland Sutherland (flute), Maurizio Ravalico (percussion), Matheus Nova (bass), Marius Rodrigues (drums).

A Fusion of Jazz and Cultural Heritage

Don’t Waste Your Ancestors’ Time is a testament to Phil Dawson’s ability to honor and evolve the rich legacies of African and Brazilian music. By collaborating with an impressive array of artists, he crafts a soundscape that is both reflective of cultural traditions and boldly innovative. The album is a call to appreciate and build on the legacies passed down by our ancestors, making it a must-listen for fans of world jazz and Afro-Brazilian grooves.