Words Seri Davies
Inspired by the legendary Fela Kuti, T-Roy releases Bush Meat, an experimental album fusing dance, pop and afrobeat. T-Roy began his musical career as producer and MC of The Absent, a breakbeat collective who reached their peak in the 1990s. So why the change in direction? "Afrobeats is intoxicating!" he enthuses. "There has always been African music in my life. Right now I feel the energy and youth behind the resurgence of African music and culture."
The album boasts collaborations with emerging vocalists KUKU, Wanlov, Heidi Vogel and Bumi Thomas. And with London as a strong influence in his production, expect electronic dance blended in with African drums and harmonic vocals.
"All of the collaborations were very organic. I met Wanlov at a gig at the ICA in London, I connected with Bumi through a mutual label friend and she introduced me to vocalist KUKU." he said.
His experiences in Africa also aided him when naming his opus. "I was in Ghana visiting family, and my uncle was driving in his 4x4 like an insane taxi driver. I was working on my portable drum programming box when he suddenly hit something and stopped the car. When he returned he had a big smile on his face and small animal in his hand boasting about cooking 'Bush Meat' when we get home. I instantly had my title."