Ar’urdayjee builds a bridge between African Rhythm and Jazz

For decades, African musicians have taken from international influences to redefine the drums, horns, and strings that unite the continent.

Fela Kuti's Afrobeat is a delightful marriage between Highlife, Funk, and Jazz music. King Sunny Ade found a place for the electric guitar in his exploration of Yoruba folk music.

William Onyeabor became the "Fantastic Man" thanks to his brilliant interpretation of funk music. Similarly, the great Evi Edna Ogholi borrowed from the dreaminess of Reggae strings to tell stories that will endure for generations.

This trend of combining cross-continent music elements continues to manifest in Nigerian pop, where artists like Ar’urdayjee, real name Ayodeji Ogunjimi, are exploring the fertile space between traditional African rhythm and modal jazz.

Ar’urdayjee's talent in music arrangement and composition transcends the studio. He has contributed to live music compositions at the notable SPANfest in Lagos and the Grace Notes Concert in Manchester.

He brings his compositional skills to 'Two To Tango', where he combines different instruments to create music that speaks to a universal audience.  

The interplay of congas, shakers, and layered hand percussion speaks to his fluency in African rhythmic systems and offers an energetic core that drives the piece forward.

The track’s harmonic bed built on modal jazz provides a fluid and tonally rich platform. The harmonic language doesn’t strive for novelty but remains tasteful, supporting the improvisatory sections without overwhelming them.

Although 'Two To Tango' manages to capture Ar’urdayjee's talent, it also shows his weakness as one who pays attention to instrumentation at the expense of structure and melodies.

The track suffers from a lack of clear structural progression, such that midway into the song, it begins to sound like a loop of a track that should have lasted 30 minutes.

Given his knowledge of Jazz music, one would have expected Ar’urdayjee to give the track personality by employing a strong horn solo that would complete the percussion and perch the track at the T junction of two culturally defining Afrocentric music.

Another noticeable shortcoming is the tame vocals, where the African chant elements shy away behind the production.

The vibrant, emotive nature of African folk melodies is known to steal the show. Ar’urdayjee should have allowed the vocals to shine rather than reduce them to a minor supporting cast.

Despite its creative shortcomings, 'Two-to-Tango' captures Ar’urdayjee’s abilities as an artist whose background as a biochemist is evidenced in his rhythmic cocktail.

Above all, the song captures his artistry as a musician rooted in his Nigerian tradition, yet with the adventurous mindset to interpret the globally recognisable Jazz music through personal sensibilities.

With such creative courage and firm self-identity, he can become a strong voice in the Afro-Jazz movement.