Headed up by multi-instrumentalist Nick Tyson, XOA fuses golden era 1970s Afrobeat with deep grooves and contemporary electronic productions sizzling with analogue synths, guitars and percussive rhythms. XOA’s new release - ONE001 - follows on from his Aiye Le debut released on Dan Shake’s imprint in
June and featuring vocals from Fela Kuti’s musical director Dele Sosimi. The record was premiered by Gilles Peterson, Boiler Room and received radio play around the globe. This 6 track EP is released on new label One House Records and features vocals from LeaLea, Anthony Joseph and Monika Liu, as well as some on-point remixes from Orchards and Byron the Aquarius, and an XOA club edit.
On the new EP Tyson demonstrates the breadth of the project with a broad spectrum of sounds and styles across the record: ‘Burn’ is a full band composition with sweeping guitar riffs and anthemic vocals from LeaLea; next up is Gil Scott-Heron-esque “Storm Windows” with a piercing spoken word piece delivered by British-
Trinidadian poet Anthony Joseph; the A-side finishes with “In So”, a rich groove orientated track featuring sweeping vocals from Monika Liu.
The B side is all about the remixes. XOA steps up for a club ready edit of ‘Burn’; Orchards provides Kaytranada influenced production for ‘Storm Windows’ and rising US House star Byron The Aquarius’ remix of ‘In So’ is a slice of soulful House with bubbling synths and lush vocals. The record will be followed by a series of full live shows leading up to festivals next summer. XOA will also be touring as a DJ act over the same period.