XHOSA COLE Ibeji (Stoney Lane Records)
Ibeji, Xhosa Cole's second album for Birmingham label Stoney Lane, after K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us (2021) is innovative. The saxophonist plays duos with no fewer than seven different percussionists, all of African descent: Jason Brown, Adriano Adewala Itaúna, Azizi Africa Cole, Lekan Babalolá, Mark Sanders, Corey Mwamba and Ian Parmel. There are also conversations and interviews: the participants talk about the role of the drum in jazz and their identity as part of the African diaspora. Ibeji is the Yoruba orisha (West African spirits), representing twins, duality, joy, mischief, abundance and children.
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