PJ Morton releases album inspired by Africa

The five-time Grammy-winning soul singer, songwriter, performer and producer based in New Orleans has released an album inspired by his 30-day trip to several countries in Africa.

The Maroon 5 keyboardist immersed himself in soundscapes and cultures with the intention of creating a collaborative project that shows the world that Africa is much more than Afrobeats.

Intending to create an album in a month, he traveled from Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa) to Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana) to Cairo (Egypt) to immerse himself in so many cultures, d different stories and communities as possible. .

Reflecting on his travels, he said: “I wanted to capture the emotions I felt while I was on the continent, so I made a promise that I wouldn’t write anything until I arrived in Africa and that I won’t write anything after my arrival. left – I ended up recording all my vocals before leaving too.

“It was really an experience of trusting my instincts. I have the ability to overthink, like many of us, so I wanted to spark something that had real stakes.

While collaborating with featured artists such as Fireboy DML, Mádé Kuti, Asa, Ndabo Zulu and Soweto Spiritual Singers, producers like P.Priime and The Cavemen, his own live band and local musicians, ‘Cape Town to Cairo’ finds PJ Morton using music. as its greatest common language.

On “Count On Me,” PJ and Fireboy DML speak to the world at large, through an uplifting message about the power of friendship and unity.

Explaining the making of the album, Mr Morton said it was about raw thoughts.

“We didn’t have time to figure out what genres fit where, and anyway, the origins of all this music started in Africa.

“What ultimately happened was that all of my raw thoughts and influences came out at once.

“There’s definitely R&B and soul, but there’s also gospel in songs like ‘Simunye,’ pop in ‘Count On Me,’ and jazz in ‘All The Dreamers.’ From Cape Town to Cairo, it’s the diaspora in musical form, in my way.

In addition to “Cape Town to Cairo,” Mr. Morton became the first black composer to write music for a Disney attraction – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The historic collaboration opens June 28 at Disney World and later this year at Disneyland.

The new ride features its original New Orleans-inspired soundtrack and theme song, “Special Spice.”

Mr. Morton also announced the publication of his memoir about his career – “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning” due to be released on November 12 via Worthy Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, the book sees him recount and reflect on a pioneering path . which continues to defy expectations while straddling the tensions of music and faith, race and culture, expression and identity.

Until then, PJ Morton and his band will embark on an extensive world tour from Cape Town to Cairo, with even more dates to be added soon.