His inspiration comes from icons such as Gilberto Gil, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Olodum, Salif Keita, bringing Afropop, Bossa Nova, Samba Reggae and many other rhythmic fusions between West Africa and South America. This is the Bahian Mandingo, Gil Felix, who is releasing his new album “Ubalafon” on September 20th on all digital platforms.

From Salvador to the world, in this new work recorded in Stockholm and Salvador, Gil brings together a tricontinental band, with recordings at the legendary Studio WR of the master of Bahian sound, Nestor Madrid. The result is new transatlantic vibrations, an “ irresistible polyrhythmic swing, in which narratives about the history of humanity and our African roots combine with poetic paintings of everyday life. It’s for dancing in the streets”, emphasizes the singer and composer.

The album is released by Mills Records in Rio de Janeiro, with the support of the Swedish Arts Council and the SELAM Academy. Its first single, “Sambuê” – released in August kicked off the release of the other six songs that make up the album: “Ubalafon”, “Depois que o Ilê Passar”, “Mairê”, “Pai pirou”, “Vento que leva” and “Sobra de mim”.

In addition to paying tribute to the African heritage of the Recôncavo region of Bahia and to Afro-Brazilian icons such as Olodum, Ilê Aiyê, Filhos de Gandhy and Carlinhos Brown, Gil Félix brings in this work the dilemma of the common human being in times of war and extremism, the persistence of the African people and their capacity for renewal, hope and the modernity of clicks, which isolate human beings from the great beauties of the world.

The tributes also extend to the precursor of the piano that was developed in Mali – Balafon – in West Africa, which inspires the title of the album and the first track. With the word Ubalafon, Gil Félix exalts the African roots of all music, as well as expressing the hope that African descendants will shape the future artistically and politically. This can also be seen on the album cover, made by pyrography artist Djibril N’Doye, Balafon Beats.