Hungarian Afrobeat musical coalition, The Mabon Dawud Republic rekindled its Fela Kuti tribute band beginnings when it paired up with Egypt 80 alumni, Dele Sosimi for a track on their self-titled album. A year later, the politically charged and rousing “Na Lie” is back on center stage as an agile canvas for four unique dance remixes by Tribute Records mogul Zepherin Saint along with three MoBlack Records mainstays, including MoBlack himself. Intact at the heart and marrow of MBR445 are the ensemble’s deep roots in West-African traditions and the Afrobeat virtuoso’s buoyant vocals and topical lyrics, breathing all four tracks to life, as they did the 2020 original. First of four is a soulful take on Sosimi and the Republic’s plea for truth. Percussive and plush, M. Caporale’s rendition is brightened by supple melodic pinches, letting the track tread elegantly from start to finish. Keeping the verve and ‘Na Lie’s’ timbre aloft, Armonica lends their signature touch, rendering a nocturnal Afro-electro version rife with cosmic groove, oscillating bass lines and moist undulations. Carrying on with vim, Zepherin Saint’s reinterpretation is a glorious symphonic experience. Escorted by robust beats, Saint’s remix unfurls a graciously sewn mosaic of instrumentals, fusing a mélange of colors, semblances and deep-rooted tribal nuances. Capping off the quartet, MoBlack taps into unmapped waters, pushing new frontiers of sound and owning it in this lasting finale. Melding and bending genres, the label mastermind churns organic elements and electronic maneuvers into new ways of hearing and feeling music, nimbly emitting industrial grit, sonorous reverie and driving rhythms.
“Na Lie” originally released by Budabeats Records on the Mabon Dawud Republic LP (BUBE-040)”.
1. The Mabon Dawud Republic feat. Dele Sosimi Na Lie (M. Caporale Remix) Vocals and lyrics composed written and sung by: Dele Sosimi
Music composed arranged and written by: Dávid Somló
Additional production by Massimiliano Caporale
Mastered by Daniele Mattiuzzi – Wave Life
2. The Mabon Dawud Republic feat. Dele Sosimi Na Lie (Armonica Remix) Vocals and lyrics composed written and sung by: Dele Sosimi
Music composed arranged and written by: Dávid Somló
Additional production by Armonica
Mastered by Bryan at Calyx
3. The Mabon Dawud Republic feat. Dele Sosimi Na Lie (Zepherin Saint Remix) Vocals and lyrics composed written and sung by: Dele Sosimi
Music composed arranged and written by: Dávid Somló
Mixed by Matt Bandy, Produced and Additional instrumentation by Zepherin Saint. Rhodes Asterieos Papastamatakis
4. The Mabon Dawud Republic feat. Dele Sosimi – Na Lie (MoBlack Remix) Vocals and lyrics composed written and sung by: Dele Sosimi
Music composed arranged and written by: Dávid Somló
Additional production by MoBlack
Mastered by Daniele Mattiuzzi – Wave Life
Photo Cover courtesy: Milan Radisics, Title: Val de Sonda from Sur / Real Land Series. Press by Marie J Floro