Jembaa Groove and Rumba de Bodas

Jazz and Afro-soul from Berlin via Accra on Jembaa Groove’s debut album and questing journey featuring Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas percussionist Eric Owusu

Berlin based international outfit Jembaa Groove come forth with a powerful and poly-rhythmical debut album built around the West African highlife tradition and the spirit of classic US jazz and soul. 

Delving into a wealth of influences from across both sides of the Atlantic as well as the Berlin scene - hip hop and jazz - the group’s musical vitality, journeying philosophy and indeed their band name, comes from the energy and spirituality of their take, and on the rhythms that feed the groove. Utilising the musical techniques, cultural context, and spirit of Ghanaian highlife they are as much influenced by the creativity of highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor and Dr. K. Gyasi as they are to the US groove machines of say Charles Bradley or Lee Fields.

Since its inception in 2008, Rumba de Bodas has emerged as the heartbeat of the global dance scene. Crafted from the boundless spirit of eight individuals hailing from Bologna, united by a profound love for music and adventure, this ensemble has seamlessly woven together the vibrant threads of ska, funk, Latin, and Afro rhythms into a harmonious blend that reverberates on every stage it graces. Renowned for metamorphosing each performance into an extravagant celebration, Rumba de Bodas has indelibly etched its name into the hearts of audiences across Italy and beyond.