alya isha – diaSpoRia Unplugged (Live at Belmont Villa)

Description

Live and acoustic; alya isha‘s first single, “diaSpoRia”, played numerous times across the BBC – Radio 6 with Jamz Supernova and Mary Anne Hobbes as well as on BBC Introducing by Fern Buckley, and picked up by Asian Tones and Mango Masala.

Performed and recorded at the majestic Belmont Villa, which platforms some of the UK’s finest jazz talent, including Reuben James and David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats).

Timely as ever, the track is an exploration of being of the diaspora, written last year when alya isha reached her ancestral land of Mauritius for the first time, only to see the claws of colonisation still so deeply ingrained. A collaboration with Reunionese producer INSULA, and made possible by Babani Studios, the track is an invitation to stand in our power and to protect our lands and people: which unfortunately could not be more relevant now.

A unique sound: Maloya re-interpreted, fused with South London Soul, Jazz and Hip Hop, played live by the incredible Mahesh Parkar on tabla, Lou Stipcewich on double bass, and R.Li on keys, percussion and backing vocals, in the heart of the crumbling British Empire.