Afro Elements
The trio of Simon T. Bramley (bass), Phil Nelson (drums) and Neil Burditt (keyboards) formed in Leicester, UK in May of 1995. Live, the band expands to at least an eight piece, with guitar, horn section, percussion and vocals. The band's influences include Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Jeff Lorber, Banda Black Rio, Earth Wind & Fire, Incognito & Masters At Work.
The bands first release came when Internal Bass Records (home to Mr. Gone & Down To The Bone amongst others) decided to include the cut Casa Del Ritmo on their A Taste of Internal Bass compilation (IBCD10). The track went down a storm with jazzheads, clubbers and DJ's around the world.
They followed this up with a new cut entitled It Remains To Be Seen released on Internal Bass...Another Taste (IBCD15), which was also released on vinyl as part of the band's Chocolat EP, which was licenced around the world, with the title track appearing on the massively popular Nude Dimensions 2 compilation on Naked Music (NYC).
With Afro Elements appearing as backing band to Mr. Gone & other visiting artists throughout Europe, releases came to a brief stop, however many members of the band contributed to the soul / funk album Stories released in 2005 under the name Black Gold Massive. The album also featured renowned soul vocalist Cindy Mizelle (Steely Dan, Beyonce & Alicia Keys) and was mixed by Grammy winner Dave Darlington (Roger Sanchez, Wayne Shorter, MAW).
Around this time various members of the band backed a variety of legendary jazz-funk artists including Reuben Wilson, Eddie Henderson & Gary Bartz for tours of the UK & Europe. Indeed, when Eddie Henderson & the band appeared at London's Jazz Cafe for two nights the concerts were cited as one of the gigs of the year by Blues & Soul magazine.
Not to be outdone in all things musical, Afro Elements also do the occasional remix. In 2006 the Afros remixed Wildfire Woman (Afro Elements Jazzin' Bossa Mix) for the Down To The Bone Angel Baby 12" on Shanachie Records, which was well received and has apparently become a bit of a rarity.
After all this The Afro Elements still found time to record their debut album, entitled It Remains To Be Seen. It got its initial release in Japan in April 2007 on Swanky Records. A worldwide release of the debut 7" single Stop You're Killing Me on Freestyle Records (UK) was released in October 2007.
Early 2008 saw the worldwide release of It Remains To Be Seen on UK label Freestyle Records, and includes newly recorded versions of previously released tracks It Remains To Be Seen, Ju Ju and Casa Del Ritmo along with a new vocal version of Chocolat. The album features over 20 musicians including one of the bands heroes, keyboard legend Jeff Lorber on Volcano (Raydio Mix).
Releases
Audio
It Remains To Be Seen
Stop You're Killing Me
Volcano