Ekundayo Ekundayo

Ekundayo, the yoruba word meaning "the joy that came from sorrow", is the name for this meeting of artists from different generations, backgrounds, origins and places. A collaborative effort in times of musical individualism.

With the blessing of Naná Vasconcelos' percussion (he has worked with the likes of Don Cherry, Milton Nascimento and Freddie Hubbard, among many others), the gang consisting of cornetist Rob Mazurek (Chicago Underground, Exploding StarOrchestra), poet/MC/beatmaker Mike Ladd, Mauricio Takara, Guilherme Granado (both players from Hurtmold and São Paulo Underground), producer/musician/engineer Scotty Hard (Vijay Iyer, Medeski, Martin & Wood), R. Brandão and Lurdez Da Luz (both MCs from Mamelo Sound System) composed the 12 tracks almost telepathically. The visuals are the work of Damon Locks (The Eternals). Rounding out the list are bass players Stu Brooks and Melvin Gibbs, adding extra layers of low frequencies to the mix on three tracks.

The origins of this "collective" goes back to 2008, when a project entitled Colaboratório brought Ladd and Mazurek to São Paulo to join forces with Granado, Da Luz, Takara and Brandão. The results were so positive that a proposal for a second stint the next year was placed. The group felt that trying to repeat the first experience was against the very nature of the project, but the desire to get everyone together in the same room once again was too big. So in order to take it to the next level they invited master percussionist Naná Vasconcelos.
When the second round of shows was confirmed, the need to record the music was clear, and so the record was born.