Umoja Sounds ‘steps out of comfort zone’ on new EP

Ardent fans will already be aware of their abilities, but for new listeners, the EP is an invitation to experience Umoja Sounds’ sonic mastery. The six-track collection, which is available for download and streaming is a product of several months of rigorous studio work.

Umoja Sounds, which comprises Kevin Provoke and Ambrose Akwabi, is best known for collaborations with various artists from East Africa. The new album sees the duo continuing in the same vein by featuring a diverse group of musicians from the region and beyond.

Out of the Comfort Zone captures Umoja Sounds mantra: vibe, collaborate, reciprocate. The project brings together respected names in hip hop, dancehall, Swahili R&B and spoken word.

The EP is packed with East African urban sounds and a touch of global styles. The result is a delightful mix of sounds spanning Afro-Caribbean, Afropop and R&B.

Kenyan spoken word artist Mufasa Poet sets off things in ‘OFCOZO Interlude’, a bitter-sweet introspection unpacking humanity’s existential crisis. This then gives way to the blistering ‘Venus’ featuring Rwanda’s Ariel Wayz and Tanzania’s Fredrick Mulla.

The groovy yet mellow banger ‘Designer’ features Jay Rox from Zambia. The track is followed by a wholesome dancehall offering titled ‘Stamina’ featuring Ugandan 1der Jr before Kenya’s Emma Cheruto takes things a notch up on ‘Higher’. Tanzanian Marleen XPlastaz brings things to a close on the R&B-influenced ‘Bayana’.

The group says visuals for the tracks are in the works.