The Shuffle: Remembering “Shake Hands” by the legendary soul singer, Geraldo Pino
The man that inspired Fela to get his act together
In 1967, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti moved to Ghana in search of work for himself and his highlife-jazz band, Koola Lobitos. During this job hunt, Fela visited a club in Accra where the late Sierra Leonean-Nigerian singer, Geraldo Pino played with his band, the Heartbeats. In “Fela: This Bitch of a Life”, the 1982 autobiography authored by Carlos Moore, the Afrobeat pioneer explained the profound effect of seeing that show, saying, “After seeing this Pino, I knew I had to get my shit together. And Quick!”
That Fela statement illustrates how much command Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats had over the West African music scene. In the early ’60s, highlife was the premier genre of music, and even though it was associated with sophistication, the recording practices and performance gears of most bands at the time were antiquated. Performing with cutting edge instruments, imported amplifiers and a six microphone public address system, Geraldo and his band were light years ahead of their peers in terms of sonic aesthetics. This superiority also embellished their status as one of the pioneering soul music bands on the continent.
Starting off in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats were initially a rock n roll band, but by the mid ’60s they tapped into the craze of the American soul/funk music sweeping the world, via the work of superstars like James Brown and Ray Charles. With superior gear and a fresh take on an internationally acclaimed sound, the band became a west African sensation, following their concurrent relocation to Accra, Ghana. According to the Heartbeats drummer, Francis Fuster, the move to Accra helped their appeal in multiple countries, since they were located in the centre of these places.
“Shake Hands”, their first smash hit, played directly into this larger regional appeal and as they also urged their African listeners to embrace one another. “Let bygones be bygones, let’s start again/call me brother!”, Geraldo Pino bellowed over propulsive guitar licks, shrill piano chords and rolling percussion. It was released during the post-colonial era and as a result, carried the high level optimism and sense of national togetherness that was common to West African countries at the time.
“Shake Hands” kicked off a dominant run for Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats, a period during which they toured multiple countries and scored more hit records. By the late ’60s, Geraldo relocated to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and in the early ’70s, the original lineup of the Heartbeats departed. By this time, though, Geraldo Pino’s impact on African music was already outsize: he had memorable moments like sharing a stage with James Brown, and his band effectively raised the bar for music in west Africa.
Listen to “Shake Hands” here.
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ICYMI: REVISITING “MOFE MU’YAN”, THE SONG THAT BROUGHT DR VICTOR OLAIYA TO A YOUNGER GENERATION
Activity Records Debuts with “Higher” Featuring B3AM, Jamie Black, The Phremen & Valentino Rose
For Activity Records, “Higher” sets the tone for what listeners can expect from the label: music that...
Activity Records has released “Higher,” a collaborative single that unites B3AM, Jamie Black, The Phremen, and Nigerian vocalist Valentino Rose. Now available on all major streaming platforms, “Higher” is both a testament to resilience and an anthem for ambition.
Built around the refrain “I tell Mama, don’t you worry, I will make you proud,” the track channels universal themes of sacrifice, hustle, and triumph. With its soaring hook, “Take me higher, my desire,” the single captures the restless drive to push beyond limits, making it an uplifting record for anyone striving toward their dreams.
“‘Higher’ is about pushing through the weight of expectations, honoring the sacrifices made for us, and celebrating the triumphs along the way,” B3AM says. “We wanted to create something that feels personal but speaks to everyone chasing their dreams.”
Going further, Valentino Rose described “Higher” as an anthem inspired by belief. “The song resonates with me; it’s about hope, ambition, and the love that fuels both. I’m proud to bring that message to life with Activity Records,” she said.
For Activity Records, “Higher” sets the tone for what listeners can expect from the label: music that uplifts, connects, and resonates globally. As the creative force behind the monthly ASC3NSION events under the Activity Fest umbrella, Activity Records has already built a reputation for crafting unforgettable experiences. With “Higher,” the label takes its first step into recorded music, signaling its commitment to shaping culture both on stage and in sound.
Activity Records is a creative powerhouse blending music, culture, and community. As the label arm of the acclaimed Activity Fest, it is dedicated to producing music that uplifts, inspires, and connects on a global scale. “Higher” marks the label’s debut single, setting the stage for a new era of storytelling through sound.
Listen to “Higher” here.
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The release of “Pawon” and “Fly” ensures Zaylevelten keeps his hot streak going while priming fans...
Zaylevelten has dropped two new singles, “Pawon” and “Fly,” ahead of his upcoming project, ‘then 1t g0t crazy.’ Earlier in the week, the fast-rising rapper took to social media to announce the imminent release of the highly anticipated follow-up to 2024’s ‘before 1t g0t crazy,’ which is scheduled to arrive on the forthcoming Independence Day.
Leveraging the viral success of “watching me” earlier in February, Zaylevelten has been able to capitalise on this momentum all year long. He’s released a steady string of singles, most notably “Maye,” which has already amassed over 1 million streams across different DSPs, and inked a deal with Lizzy Records, a record label that’s home to names like Lancey Foux, Fimiguerrero, and Len.
The release of “Pawon” and “Fly” ensures the rapper keeps his hot streak going while also priming fans on what to expect from the new project. Both self-produced, the former, which he’s previously teased online, like many of his other releases, sounds slightly despondent, thanks to some loopy, eerie synths, while the latter features more upbeat and animated production.
His rapping is razor-sharp on both, regardless, weaving intricate rhyme schemes with braggadocious and relatable lines delivered in pidgin English, Yoruba and Igbo. Along with “Pawon” and “Fly,” the pre-released “Maye,” “SHOW ME LUV” and eight new tracks are also expected to feature on his forthcoming project, as he looks to solidify his status as one of the most exciting rappers around.
Listen to “Pawon” and “Fly” here.
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In the challenging landscape of mid-2020, as the world adjusted to the pandemic-induced lockdown, Maya Amolo made her delicate introduction to a jaded and hemmed-in audience with ‘Leave Me At The Pregame,’ a 7-track EP that exuded a striking poignancy and melancholy that was fit for the times. The project was immediately well received, shooting up the No. 1 spot on Kenya’s Apple Music R&B charts shortly after its release.
In the years that followed, Amolo continued to establish herself as one of Kenya’s most promising rising stars, releasing her impressive debut album ‘Asali,’ and an equally sturdy deluxe version, which highlighted her clever songwriting skills and minimalist take on R&B. It wasn’t, however, until 2024’s ‘What A Feeling,’ that she truly began to show some dynamism, exploring a few Dance subgenres that gave her music a more effervescent edge.
In an interview from earlier in the year, Amolo revealed how her home city, Nairobi, inspired much of ‘What A Feeling.’ ‘So much of how I’ve been experiencing Nairobi has been through nightlife, and with What a Feeling, I wanted to make an album that shows that.’ Cuts like the House-inspired “Let It Flow” and the self-produced title track, both of which bubble with hedonistic fervour, capture the vibrancy of a city that comes alive after sundown while also highlighting Amolo’s desire to explore sonically.
On her latest album, ‘The Sweetest Time,’ she dedicates a few more numbers to this exploration, showcasing versatility and, perhaps more importantly, a desire to grow artistically. The album’s highlight, “Hocus Pocus,” comes as a result of this exploration, taking inspiration from Brazil’s Baile Funk to create something refreshing and infectious.
At just under two minutes, Amolo manages to make “Hocus Pocus” the album’s most seductive offering, as she sings of herself like a dangerous enchantress. ‘Look at me like you want all the smoke,’ she bellows softly on the track’s opening lines, setting the tone for a sexy and hypnotic cut that manages to be both subtle and bold at the same time.
Along with Amolo’s slightly muted sonic exploration, another one of her latest album’s highlights is her assertive tone, which is evidenced across several tracks, especially on “Hocus Pocus.” While the Kenyan singer may project an image of sweetness and charm, her latest batch of songs reveals she’s as clear-eyed and astute as she’s ever been. ‘Angel face, but please don’t be deceived,’ she warns over CAP’s percussion and moody synths.
Pre-released singles like the title track, “Guidance,” and new cuts like “Hollon” and the AYLØ-assisted “I Like It” appear to be early favourites on the album, further consolidating the singer’s reputation as one of the most promising R&B voices on the face of the continent. “Hocus Pocus,” however, gives a hint at where the Kenyan star could be headed sonically in the future, even as she continues to evolve and showcase different sides to her artistry.
Listen to ‘The Sweetest Time‘ here.
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