{"title":"Isaac Birituro and The Rail Abandon","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"small-small","title":"Small Small","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmall Smallis a very Ghanaian saying, a direct translation to English, which is used in a wide variety of contexts to mean 'bit by bit,' 'one step at a time' or 'slow and steady'. Vocalist and musician Sonny Johns, from The Rail Abandon, was first introduced to the phrase on his initial trip to Ghana in 2016, when he met Isaac in Kalba, and the phrase has popped up over and over ever since.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe rise of the BLM movement during this period also made a big impact on a project designed to unite people, bring equality and encourage mutual respect. The death of Tony Allen also hit us hard early in this period too -Tony (also of maternal Ghanaian heritage) was a person who united West African and European musics and cultures seamlessly and was instrumental in bringing together (indirectly) the music of Isaac Birituro \u0026amp; The Rail Abandon. So, we finished this albumSmall Smallover the intense year of 2020 influenced by the difficulties that we, and the world, have been through. The album is about loss, frustration and struggle, but it's also about the light at the end of the tunnel; about overcoming difficulties to find a brighter future and no matter what separates us, whether that be language, culture, continents or borders, when we listen to each other and learn from each other, there's really not much that can keep us apart. So from everyone involved, here's to a brighter future.\" Sonny Johns from The Rail Abandon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Rail Abandon is a play on the name Rail band - the short title ofThe Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare, Bamako -a band from Bamako, Mali including such greats as Salif Keita and the more importantly the guitarist Dejimady Tounkara. Inspired by his playing the group were given the moniker The Rail Abandon as a way to release music without a face, specific name or singer. The line up is different depending on the music. Due to a joint love of African musics from across the continent, the core at the moment is Sonny Johns on vocals and guitar, Raph Clarkson on trombone and keyboards, and Israeli musician Yuval Wetlzer on drums and percussion, but it can incorporate any, all, none or more than these people.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs well as the core group, the album also features a number of special guests, including Ghanaian powerhouse vocalist Wiyaala; UK based Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi; the incredible Queen Ayesha and South African singer Nosihe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wah Wah 45s","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50384336978251,"sku":"2000704","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Small_Small_a51d2c5f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726295692"},{"product_id":"kontonbili-ep","title":"Kontonbili EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing on from the successes of their first two LPs, \"Kalba\" and \"Small Small\", Isaac Birituro \u0026amp; The Rail Abandon return with the \"Kontonbili EP\". A collection of seven tracks that trace the traditional West African roots of their sound whilst adding their unique touch, largely courtesy of Isaac's xylophone, Sonny Johns' folky embellishments and the vocal prowess of powerful Ghanaian songstress Wiyaala. \n\n\nThe lead single \"Hado Deeli\" roughly translates to \"My Rival\" and is a vibrant discussion between two rivals, one of whom is always making a fuss about anything and everything, even when things are all good! \"Gargar\", with its collaboration of xylophone, whistles, Wiyaala's effervescent vocals and relentless groove represents, quite literally, the band's \"joining together\" for this EP. In contrast, \"I Know\" sees Sonny Johns takes over lead vocal duties to lament the breakdown of a relationship accompanied by muted horns and Wiyaala's soothing backing vocals. \"Nimmbalia\" continues in a mellow and reassuring tone before emerging as one of the most uplifting and simultaneously fierce cuts on the EP! The traditional version of \"Bawa\" - the original take of which can be found on last year's \"Small Small\" LP - strips things back a little, before culminating in a battle of xylophone, whistles and choir. \"Yeri Villa\" has a wonderfully laid back, sun drenched feel with some truly beautiful vocal refrains, and finally - only available on the digital version - comes the deeply percussive and trance inducing \"Darpeny\", rounding off a rather stunning EP from this cross continental outfit. \n\n\nAll tracks feature Ghanaian singer, song-writer, model and actor, Wiyaala. With a strong fanbase in Africa and beyond, \"the lioness\" made her mark on Wah Wah 45s and BBC 6 Music last year when she featured on the A-listed \"Senye\", described as \"perfection\" by Annie Mac and \"pure joy!\" by Tash LC.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wah Wah 45s","offers":[{"title":"10\" - 2045952","offer_id":50392586617163,"sku":"2045952","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_6e8280af_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726409607"},{"product_id":"kalba","title":"Kalba","description":"\u003cp\u003eWah Wah 45s are very proud to announce the release of Kalba, the first album from Ghanaian xylophone master Isaac Birituro and Leeds-based producer and singer-songwriter Sonny Johns AKA The Rail Abandon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere are many differences between Isaac and Sonny, but a powerful similarity - which gives Kalba its element of relatability - is that desire to hear the usual done unusually and play with the shared influence of the music from afar. Named after the town in North Ghana where Isaac resides, the album is a combination of differences; a magnifying glass over the Venn diagram of our lives, the unfathomable meeting of parallel lines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wah Wah 45s","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50463878250827,"sku":"1082096","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/02984279-a675-498b-9844-fea25445315c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727267832"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/isaac-birituro-and-the-rail-abandon.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}