Just Have To Grow

• Nice Copy

Awalé's debut album 'Just Have To Grow' was co-produced by Nick Page (Dub Colossus). Most of the album was recorded live in one room over two days at the Fishmarket Studios in North London. It features special guest appearances such as the critically acclaimed British flautist Gareth Lockrane on the track Ndeke. Formed in London in 2009, Awalé is a reflection of London s multiculturalism. With members from Tunisia, Cuba, France, Slovakia and England, influences come in turn from Afrobeat, Balkan music, North African Amazigh music, Congolese Rhumba, Ethiopian Funk and Latin Jazz, blended in their unique style. Through their music they take the audience on a journey across continents celebrating diversity and hope for mutual understanding of different cultures.?The name Awalé, meaning "love each other", comes from an ancient African game played in hundreds of versions around the world.?Like the game, the music is played in turns and cycles of various length which echo themselves, sometimes very intricately and sometimes in unison. Heavily horn based, with the colour and excitement of 70's funk and with Balkan inspired odd time signatures and melodies.