SAM AND THE WOMP are back with the cloud-busting new single: “Sun Dance”.
An irresistibly upbeat new track, the MULTI-PLATINUM selling international pop sensations return with their first music in over three-years. The single also sees the band enlist UK-based Ghanaian vocalist K.O.G. (fresh from his appearance on BBC’s Later with Jools Holland), to sprinkle a little of his own gold dust on proceedings.
Summoning the summer season with a groove that couldn’t be anyone else, “Sun Dance” is a blazing, beatific and brassy new single of pure Afropop dynamite.
Initially an instrumental, “Sun Dance” was written by the band’s Sam Ritchie in early 2020 following a binge of Fela Kuti’s untameable live recordings. Taking inspiration from Kuti’s trademark 12/8 rhythms and simple pentatonic brass lines, Ritchie began to fold-in layers of hypnotic loops and a propulsive four-to-the-floor backbeat until very soon something identifiably in-line with Womp’s own distinctive brand of bangers emerged.
Bringing the final version to life at Love Electric Studios in North London, live drums came courtesy of longtime Womp drummer Juba Wetzler. Live brass instrumentation was orchestrated by Sam Ritchie (trumpet), with its multi-layered oomph provided with the assistance of long time band members Tony Rico (sax), Tom White (trombone) and new tuba player Christopher Barrett.
With an emphatic backing now in place, Bloom de Wilde added her spirited, sunshine-soaked vocals from the Lullabye Factory in Amsterdam, while collaborator K.O.G. laid down bars from his current base in Sheffield.
Engineered with James Carey, “Sun Dance” was edited in collaboration with Sam Ritchie. The final arrangement was sent to 2x GRAMMY Certified Recording and Mix Engineer, Producer Mack Woodward in the US and then mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid.
Sharing their excitement about new track “Sun Dance” and the creative process, Sam and The Womp say:
“ [”Sun Dance”] makes us dance and is a cool blend of Brass, Dance and Afro flavour and captures our live band feel, plus complimentary electronic production and a massive kick drum! The creation process was spontaneous, it was about capturing a thought, flowing with that and gathering a real sense of joy. Having artists working with us such as K.O.G was a privilege and enabled us to bring this music to life.”
Preparing an explosive new live show, Sam and the Womp are now looking ahead to a special launch show at the Summer By The River event in London where they will perform with a 6-piece band, plus a series of festival shows this summer. Catch “Sun Dance” igniting the masses at the following dates and venues as follows:
Sam and the Womp Summer Dates:
14th August – Summer By The River, London ** “Sun Dance” launch party ** DETAILS
26th August – Solfest, Cumbria
28th August – Campwildfire, Kent
(31st August – Dalston Curve Garden, Bloom gig)
18th Sept – Worthing Pride
