Review: Michael Olatuja’s ‘Lagos Pepper Soup’

It can be incredibly difficult to be creative at the culinary arts. Insufficient attention to detail or excessive or inordinate amounts of particular ingredients potentially create a bland or inedible product. Masterful creation requires a background on how to best use materials and a desire to mix them in the best way possible. When done correctly, the meal can stir emotions in its consumer, possibly even heal their spirits. An entree known to have this power is the Nigerian pepper soup. Originally from the Efik-Ibibio people of the southeastern coast, its popularity has spread throughout the world. It is so special that many believe it relies on a “secret” ingredient for its taste and aroma. Similarly, on Lagos Pepper Soup (Whirlwind Recordings, 2020), Michael Olatuja deftly mixes diverse flavors to create a magical dish.

It helps that the bassist has a wide assortment of sonic ingredients available to him. Whether Grégory Maret’s melancholic harmonica on “Bola’s Song”,  the soaring joy of Regina Carter’s violin on “The Hero’s Journey”, or the soulfulness of Joe Lovano’s tenor saxophone on “Leye’s Dance”, Olatuja assembles a line of guest artists who each present a unique voice. This also includes vocalists, ranging from Thana Alexa to Camille Thurman to Becca Stevens to Laura Mvula. Then there is also Brandee Younger whose heavenly tone on “Ma Foya”, just further cements her place among today’s finest musicians.  Even the core band is superpowered, featuring pianist Aaron Parks (read our review of his Little Big II here) and drummer Terreon Gully. Serving as a broth to blend these sounds is the bandleader’s bass lines. At times reminiscent of Jaco Pastorious (“Even Now Prayer”, “The Hero’s Journey”) and others John Pattitucci’s acoustic work (“Shadows Fade”, “Ma Foya”), he expresses his own individuality while binding together the rest of the compositions. 

Like its edible counterpart, Olatuja’s offering can be savory and full of heat. This is accomplished primarily by adopting ideas from perhaps Nigeria’s greatest export, Afrobeat. Although recorded well before his passing, in many ways, these uptempo pieces can be seen as a testament to the continued viability of Tony Allen’s melding of elements historically associated with jazz, funk, highlife, and fuji. On the title track, this takes the form of a heavy groove across which Angelique Kidjo’s vocals glide. “Soki” takes a similar approach with Dianne Reeves singing in Yoruba. However, it adjusts the recipe, to also incorporate strings and Senegalese, and Malian music.  Due to the skillful guitar of Lionel Loueke on both compositions and the more laid-back “Mivakpola”, a Beninese influence is also present. 

But the album’s brightest moments are in its evocation of pepper soup’s purported healing qualities. Some in West Africa believe a new mother should eat the soup after giving birth due to its supposed ability to control blood flow circulation and stave off uterine hemorrhages. That is, it helps calm after one of the most physically demanding circumstances a person can experience. This corresponds with Olatuja’s stated purpose behind the themes of “hope, inspiration, and new beginnings.” Sonically, the music’s focus on recuperation emerges primarily through its inspired utilization of orchestral arrangements on approximately half of its tracks. Here too, the recording draws upon multiple artists – Joseph Joubert, Jason Michael Webb, Jon Cowherd, and David Metzger. Although distinct, each provides an emotional lushness. This is best seen on “The Hero’s Journey” where Metzger builds upon his long history of film scores to build a story out of the sounds that surround him. If one could levy any criticism about the orchestral pieces, it is that there are not enough of them. While this is not to denigrate the other songs, a superior album could have been made if the orchestration was used throughout and the entirety weaved into movements of a singular suite. 

Across many cultures, soup – whether chicken noodle, miso soba, or pepper- has been used to help recover from illness, Unfortunately, a meal itself is unlikely to cure the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the globe. However, at a time in which people’s stress levels, fear, and distrust are at their peak, it can assuage divisions and provide peace. Chef James Beard once noted that “food is the common denominator that brings people together.” In inviting listeners to the table, on Lagos Pepper Soup, Michael Olatuja emphasizes that music is as well. 

Lagos Pepper Sound will be released by Whirlwind Recordings on June 12, 2020.

Or, if you would like to both purchase the album and help our site offset its operating costs, you can buy it from our Amazon affiliate store.

Tracklist: 1. Even Now Prayer, 2. Lagos Pepper Soup, 3. The Hero’s Journey, 4. Soki, 5. Ma Foya, 6. Brighter Day, 7. Shadows Fade, 8. Home True, 9. Bola’s Song, 10. Mivakpola, 11. Leye’s Dance, 12. Grace

Personnel: Michael Olatuja (electric bass, synth bass (1), percussion (5)), Aaron Parks (piano (2, 3, 7, 9-12), Etienne Stadwijk (keyboards (1-5 7, 11), Terreon Gully (drums (1-4, 7-12)), Magatte Sow (Percussion (2-4, 6, 9,11)), Samir Zarif (Tenor and soprano saxophone (8,10,12)), ‘Lagos Pepper Soup’ String Orchestra under the conduction of Joseph Joubert (3,4,6,7, 9), Lionel Loueke (guitar (2,4,10)), Ayanna George (backing vocals (2-4)), Cassondra James (backing vocals (2-4), Rasul A-Salaam (backing vocals (2-4), Joseph Joubert (orchestration (6,7)), Camille Thurman (voice (9,12)), Brandee Younger (harp (5)), Regina Carter (violin (3)), David Metzger (orchestration (2)), Jason Michael Webb (orchestration (4)), Jon Cowherd (orchestration (9)), Joe Lovano (tenor sax (11)), Grégoire Maret (harmonica (9)), Becca Stevens (voice (8)), Angelique Kidjo (voice (2)), Thana Alexa (voice (3)), Dianne Reeves (voice (4)), Laura Mvula (voice (6)), Onaje Jefferson (voice (7)), Alicia Olatuja (vocal arrangement (4)), Troy Miller (drums (6)), Femi Temowo (guitar (6)), Herve Sambe (guitar (11)), Michael Aarons (guitar (12)), Robert Mitchell (piano (8)).