Gig - Soul Safari

Billed as an ‘African Blues explosion’ Soul Safari is a product of the collaboration between Rik (of Rik’s Disks) and Lewes newcomer Tony (aka DJ T.A.S.K). I ask them how it all came about. “Tony came into my shop one day”, says Rik. “He had just moved to Lewes and wanted to put a night on somewhere. I suggested we do it together.” The result is a fusion night which combines their musical interests. “Rik is a blues and soul guy and I grew up in Kenya listening to all that as well as traditional African tunes. But I’m also into my reggae”, says Tony. “Music has always been a big part of my life. In fact my dad composed the National Anthem for Kenya - he’s a bit of a musical genius.”

Tonight Rik will be spinning Motown and soul discs from the ‘golden era’ of the 60s. “It’s the era that I grew up in”, says Rik. “There’s some great music from that period. And it was the first time that there was integration between white and black musicians” Tony will play a mixture of African music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. “I have to limit myself so I don’t go overboard”, says Tony. “So I’ll mainly be playing East African music from reggae to traditional tunes set to Hip Hop beats. I try to do sets which I think will appeal to the public but it certainly won’t be all Bob Marley. I like to pick rarer stuff.” The night will be preceded by a West African drum workshop at 7pm. ER