PREMIERE : Jasper Van't Hof's Pili Pili - Hippo Hips

Having previously released selected retrospectives focused on the musical output of Ryo Kawasaki and Joan Bibiloni, NuNorthern Soul has now turned its attention to the vast back catalogue of Jasper Van’t Hof’s pioneering electro-acoustic, Afro-fusion collective, ‘Pili Pili’. Best known to Balearic DJs and listeners for the epic title track from 1984 debut album ‘Pili Pili’ – a track reissued by NuNorthern Soul in 2024 with a fresh re-edit by label regulars Coyote – the European-African collective became world-renowned not just for the unique, cross-cultural sound of their songs and instrumentals, but also the dynamism of their freewheeling, partly improvised live performances. The band was established in 1984 by Van’t Hof, a Dutch pianist who began his career in Europe’s jazz scene of the late 1960s, as a way of combining his love of jazz-fusion and the music of North-West Africa. Van’t Hof already had a reputation for combining roles in traditional jazz combos with more experimental and abstract projects. These included a spell in violinist Jean-Luc Ponty’s first band, years spent masterminding the jazz-rock outfit called Jasper Van’t Hof’s Porkpie, the recording of an all-electronic album (1982’s Visitors), and a celebrated collaborative live album with the great Archie Shepp, Mama Rose. ‘Pili Pili’, though, was another step forward for Van’t Hof. Working with percussionists and vocalists from Benin and Mali (including the now legendary Angelique Kidou) and a string of adventurous jazz soloists (saxophonist Tony Lakoto and trumpeter Annie Whitehead included), Van’t Hof’s collective frequently combined live and programmed percussion, electronic and acoustic instrumentation, and the talented improvisor’s own memorable melodies and impactful solos. NuNorthern Soul’s retrospective focuses on the most productive and celebrated period of ‘Pili Pili’s near three-decade history, showcasing tracks originally recorded and released on studio albums released between 1984 and 2002. The six tracks on show offer an essential glimpse into the musical gold to be found across the ‘Pili Pili’ catalogue. It begins with the infectious energy and restless percussion of ‘Ile’, an Afro-fusion-meets-electro-rock masterpiece from the band’s 1984 debut, and ends with the ultra-deep bass, gentle acoustic guitars, colourful synths and melodious kalimba sounds of 2002’s ‘Soubatcha’. In between, you’ll find the synth-pop-infused, electric guitar-sporting joy of ‘Jakko Jakko’ (1987), the stripped-back and drum focused ‘Life Size’ (also 1987), the jaunty bliss of ‘Hippo Hips’ (1992), and the cowbell-powered Afro-jazz-fusion brilliance of 1985’s ‘My Gongoma’. In keeping with NuNorthern Soul’s previous retrospectives, the vinyl version of ‘Selected Works 1984-2002’ comes with extended liner notes telling the remarkable story of this most unusual of cross-cultural collaborations. These feature extensive quotes, reflections and memories from Jasper Van’t Hof and were written by music historian Matt Anniss. Artwork by Chris Maude.