As Above, So Below [Deep Purple LP]

by Sampa the Great

Overview

After The Return became Sampa the Great's second release to win the Australian Music Prize, she was set to embark on a major international tour when the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily put a stop to live events throughout the world. She moved from Australia back to Zambia, where she was born, and spent time reconnecting with her family as well as the music of her youth. As Above, So Below takes influence from past and present styles of music from Zambia, Botswana (where Sampa was raised), and South Africa, sounding organic and earthy yet thoroughly contemporary. A much more concise record than the sprawling, jazzy The Return, As Above similarly celebrates heritage and culture while looking inward and discussing personal issues. Stirring highlight "Never Forget" pays tribute to Zamrock (a '70s psychedelic rock movement) and kalindula music, acknowledging Sampa's roots while affirming her place in history. The gritty, bluesy "Can I Live" is a collaboration with Zamrock legends WITCH, which counted one of Sampa's uncles among its early members. "Tilibobo" incorporates amapiano-style log drums, and "Bona" has heavier, more forceful bass matching Sampa's rapid, defiant rhymes. Denzel Curry, Joey Bada$$, and Kojey Radical assist Sampa on some of the album's most aggressive, trap-influenced cuts, with the beat switch-ups during Bada$$'s "Mask On" verse being a particularly riveting moment. "Lo Rain," one of two tracks featuring Sampa's sister Mwanje, counters hard rhyming with lush harmonies. Afro-pop trailblazer Angelique Kidjo guests on the triumphant closer "Let Me Be Great," one of several songs about affirming one's legacy. ~ Paul Simpson

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2024
Label:	Loma Vista
UPC:	0888072469419
Rank:	176323

Tracks

1. Shadows
2. Lane
3. Never Forget
4. Mask On
5. Bona
6. Can I Live?
7. Imposter Syndrome
8. Tilibobo
9. Lo Rain
10. IDGAF
11. Let Me Be Great

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sampa the Great   Primary Artist,Vocals
James Sakala   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Tio Nason   Primary Artist,Vocals
Chef 187   Primary Artist,Vocals
Mwanje   Primary Artist,Vocals
Kojey Radical   Primary Artist,Vocals
W.I.T.C.H.   Primary Artist
Joey Bada$$   Primary Artist
Denzel Curry   Primary Artist,Vocals
Angelique Kidjo   Primary Artist,Vocals
Powers Pleasant   Primary Artist
Mwanje Tembo   Vocals
Solomon Moyo   Vocals
Samuel Nyambe   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Magnus “Mag44” Mando   Vocals
Sammy Masta   Guitar,Vocals
Philip Ngoma   African Percussion
Joshua Lungu   African Percussion
Gabby Chansa Lamba   Spoken Word
Arthur Kabaso Seba   Saxophone
Kalukusha Nkole Gibson   Guitar (Bass)
Mufrika   Piano
Emmanuel Kangwa "Jagari" Chanda   Vocals
Sampa Tembo   Vocals
Amadou Suso   Strings

Technical Credits

Powers Pleasant   Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Recording Producer,Beats,Mixing
Angelique Kidjo   Composer
Mason Sacks   Producer,Recording Producer,Composer
James Sakala   Composer
Mwanje Tembo   Composer
Maleho Makgothi   Recording
Ben Blazer Kalulu   Producer,Recording,Recording Producer
Neal Pogue   Mixing
Solomon Moyo   Beats,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Recording Producer
Taonga Nyirongo   Composer
Samuel Nyambe   Composer
Magnus “Mag44” Mando   Beats,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Recording Producer
Sammy Masta   Composer
Kondwani Kaira   Composer
Sidney Muyamba   Recording
Ezekiel Nyimbili   Recording
Jean Hebrail   Recording
Mike Bozzi   Mastering Engineer
Nathan Burgess   Recording
Dave Holmes   Recording
Neal H. Pogue   Mixing
Emmanuel Kangwa "Jagari" Chanda   Composer
Jo-Vaughn Virginie   Composer
Denzel Curry   Composer
Juan "Saucy" Pena   Recording
Dreamlife   Beats,Composer,Producer,Drum Programming,Recording Producer
Sampa Tembo   Composer,Producer
Sampa the Great   Producer,Recording Producer
Jeff Kleinman   Composer,Producer,Recording Producer
Kwadwo Adu Genfi Amponsah   Composer