Sample Funk, Dub & Afrobeat Gems from UK label Wah Wah 45s

What were the early days of Wah Wah 45s like?

Wah Wah 45s started as an imprint that simply put out 45s. It was 1999 and there was no digital then, so it was all about the vinyl! Connecting with what we were doing in the clubs with an old, vintage track on one side and a new production on the other side of the 45.

So how did the label go from there to releasing all-new music?

Back in those days, we could sell several thousand 7-inches. But even so, the cost of licensing one or two tracks—from what was inevitably a major label—was prohibitive! This is one of the main reasons I went on to steer Wah Wah 45s in a more forward-thinking direction, signing new acts like Resonators, Soothsayers, Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon, and The Gene Dudley Group.

What makes Wah Wah 45s’ catalog so great for sampling?

It’s filled to the brim with respectfully and tastefully retro-flavoured sounds that still have a certain edge of the modern about them. We’ve never been a label that stands with both feet in the vintage side of things, so our bands' productions tend to have a contemporary feel whilst still embodying the soul of past recordings. This is useful for sample-diggers as it enables what they use the music for to do the same.

Past sounds have a huge influence on all of our artists, whether it be the vintage funky sounds of Gene Dudley, or the classic dub influences that can be heard in the work of Resonators or Soothsayers. We always want our artists to bring that contemporary edge to what they do. Whether that be in production, mixing of styles, or just via their attitude—it’s always there.

You’re a DJ yourself. In which way(s) does that influence your curation and work for the label?

We like to release what we hope will be seen as timeless music. That’s always in our minds when we A&R the label. Classic songwriting is so important! No matter what it’s wrapped up in. Sampling only helps continue that timelessness as records get discovered and rediscovered across the years.

The discography of Soothsayers is very rich and diverse in terms of styles. What are some of your favourites from them?

Soothsayers are an incredible outfit who’ve been going as long as Wah Wah 45s itself! Their mix of dub, lovers rock, jazz, electronics, and Afrobeat, combined with a heavy dose of political messaging, make them one of the greatest out there in my humble opinion. Standout choices for me would be the anti-Brexit anthem “We Won’t Lose Hope” and the uplifting and joyous “Good Vibration.”. Both have deeply infectious hooks and come complete with super strong vocals prime for sampling: “We Won’t Lose Hope” featuring the sultry tones of front lady Julia Biel, and “Good Vibrations” with the classic three-part harmony from Julia, Robin, and Idris, which is so often the band’s trademark.

Straight No Chaser magazine once dubbed Dele Sosimi "The most fluent Afrobeat you're going to hear today." On top of that, why should producers dig into his catalog?

I might have possibly written that myself! [laughs!] Dele Sosimi was tutored under the wing of Fela Kuti. He was his bandleader with Egypt 80. Dele’s music is the closest any artist in the UK has ever got to Fela’s sound. His songwriting is sublime and his band runs deep with talent. Sampling Dele’s music is arguably the nearest you can get to the sounds coming out of The Shrine in the 1970s without sampling Fela himself. The musicians, like Tamar Collocutor (saxophone) and Justin Thurgur (trombone) are heavyweights in their field. Songs like “E Go Betta” and the title track to the album You No Fit Touch Am will be Afrobeat classics in years to come. Sampling them now will ensure your music will be revisited in time too.

Why have you decided to add Wah Wah 45s’ catalog to Tracklib?

Because sampling is part of our music culture. We want Wah Wah 45s to be part of this rich artistic history that we all love. Not only in terms of the music we put out, but in terms of how that music is adapted for other scenes and other purposes for years to come. Sampling tells stories across styles, decades, and generations.