South London Samba

07507 445 952

We are South London Samba, a collective of young people who love to drum. We play energetic music inspired by Latin, Caribbean and African rhythms, blended together with our South London vibe.

We've performed with the Black Eyed Peas (UEFA Champions League Final 2017), Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony 2019, Eastenders BBC Children In Need, Crystal Palace FC, Lovebox Festival, Love Supreme, O2 Arena, Virgo Festival and Notting Hill Carnival (to name a few). We're currently rehearsing and running classes at Midi Music Company in Deptford, and The Green in Nunhead.

 

Hot off the heels of an active summer tour across the festival circuit, South London Samba present their debut EP “Tempo!”. Across 5 tracks, band leader Adam Ouissellat drives a tight rhythmically focused sound, with influence from Brazil and across the African diaspora.

“We have been performing these tunes for a long time and it felt right to archive them when we came up to our 10 year anniversary (the band started in April 2013).
We recorded them at Midi Music Company which is where we have rehearsed and ran classes since the beginning! These tunes have stood the test of time and are loved by audiences wherever we play.”

Recorded in Deptford in single takes without overdubs, and expertly engineered by Ahmad Dayes (brother to Yussef). Tempo! is a vignette of their live performances. It encapsulates the raw power of a drumming orchestra carefully disposed to drive a unique interpretation of samba rhythms.

Adam says “The idea was to capture the spirit of carnival whilst adding to the rhythmic culture of drumming ensembles. Each piece has melodies and motifs running throughout which makes it a listening experience as well as something anyone can groove to.”

Tempo! collects global inspiration from the Caribbean, Dutch Brass bands and Latin America and represents a desire to grow their community, and to “push the genre into new territory”. Having already supported the likes of the Black Eyes Peas, Disclosure and performed at the O2 arena and regulars at Notting Hill Carnival, SLS are cementing their prowess with a technical dexterity that is immediately profound. 

credits

released August 30, 2024

All tracks written by Adam Ouissellat
Performed by:
Repique - Adam Ouissellat
Quad - Sam Ouissellat
Snare - Saul Danan-Verryt
Snare - Casey Cronyn
Snare - Kaif Bourne
Snare - Corey Edwin
#3 Surdo - Alice Vilanculo
#3 Surdo - Anna Stewart
#3 Surdo - Stephanie Jones
#2 Surdo - Jodi Simone
#2 Surdo - Ellie Green
#2 Surdo - Hope Worsdale
#2 Surdo - Chris Cain
#1 Surdo - Milo Perotto Wills
#1 Surdo - Arun Janssens
#1 Surdo - Anwar Harris

Tracking and mix engineering by Ahmad Dayes
Recorded at Midi Music Company 2022-2023
Mastered by Alex Batchelor
Painting by Joe Sharples
Art Photography by Michael Walter
Design by Mali Baden-Powell
Project Management by Biodiversity

Top Left Photo: @Sarahrajabalee