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Pioneering African artist, founder of Offering Recordings and father of Ancestral Soul, Boddhi Satva returns to BBE with retrospective double album ‘18’, charting nearly two decades of groundbreaking music production.
Since releasing his debut album, Invocation, on BBE back in 2012 with Louie Vega acting as executive producer, Boddhi Satva has emerged from behind the console to become one of the most respected and recognisable producers on the planet. With a sonic palette that constantly gestures back to his native Africa and hints at a deep knowledge of folklore and spirituality, Boddhi’s mystical touch has found its way onto smash-hit pop and Zouk records, as well as the deepest of underground cuts.
Taking in over 30 musical highlights from his career so far, ‘18’ turns up hidden gems and reflects on classics, life-changing collaborations and solo successes. Satva’s creative expansion and personal journey are traced across this intricate, self-reflective collection. And the lessons learnt from this journey through music? “Success doesn’t actually change people, it magnifies their true self,” he says. “We should always be open to learning and avoid burning bridges over futile considerations.”
Speaking of learning, this album features many of the artists that waymarked Boddhi’s path over the years, from early mentors DJ Pippi, Osunlade and Alton Miller to songwriting inspirations such as Badi, Zaki Ibrahim, Maalem Hammam, Zano and Omar, to name but a few. Collaboration is a vital part of Boddhi’s creative process. As he puts it “these encounters are very, very organic and never forced. I’ve also seen some dream collaborations come to life for two simple reasons in my opinion: believing in those dreams working steadily and letting the Universe make them happen for me.”
Over the course of ‘18’, we can hear the growth and evolution of Satva’s ‘Ancestral Soul’. “Before being an actual sound,” Says Boddhi “it’s is a mind-set. I always approach my music with the intention of uplifting and healing as many souls I can. Now sound-wise I’ve always wanted my musical envelope to be open creatively but always keep its African-ness, no matter the diversity of the sound. It is important for me to add that though I’m musically very open, I believe that what gives Ancestral Soul its special energy is the fact that it’s anchored by strong roots.”