First Fela Kuti gave us Afro-Beat, then San-Francisco’s Sila gave us Afro-Funk, and when London’s Siji takes over PST tomorrow night we’ll have Afro-Soul, the latest combo of African and American dance floor tunes.
The second of twelve children born to Nigerian immigrant parents in London, SIJI burst onto the scene with his BBE Records debut “God Given” in 2005. With production and remixes from underground legend Osunlade, the LP establised SIji as a favorite new voice on the soul scene. Siji’s sound is a direct throwback to Marvin Gaye’s smooth crooning with frequent stops on the D’Angelo and Maxwell highway. With the release of his new LP, “Adesiji” (Ivy Records) he brings his vision full circle, merging West African rhythms and chants with modern soul production from King Britt and others. Tonight kicks of the Pacific Standard Time Autumn Soul Series.
O-Scene 