THE BUSY TWIST
For the last couple of years The Busy Twist have put original releases on hold and set about crafting new projects with a new label to match. With past releases on Soundway Records and The People’s Ear, their authentic imprint Busy Life reflects a restless pursuit to carve out more beats and rhythms to add to their collection of West African, South American, Caribbean and UK bass inspired fusion music. Last month they re-announced themselves on the scene with the label’s debut EP Sunny Side. It features long-time collaborator Zongo Abongo and is inspired by their ongoing trips to Ghana and the relationships they’ve built with local musicians. We talked to the minds behind the project, Ollie Twist and Oli Cole, about the evolution of their sound, their experiences crafting music overseas in Ghana and Colombia, which of their tracks have been truly popping, and some of the thinking behind their vision for borderless music intended for D-floors worldwide. What’s more the pair add a cherry on top with a beautiful mix of some of their favourite cuts and grooves from the sunny side of their travels.
Before we had established the the Busy Twist, myself (Ollie Twist) and Gabriel Benn (Tuesday Born) first went to Ghana in 2011 to produce a reggae project for an artist called Yaga Yo and also Malikia (Zongo Abongo). During the time there being exposed to so much afrobeat music and traditional highlife we were instantly hooked on the sounds and it wasn’t until Zongo Abongo suggested we try to mix their styles with our electronic uk style that it became the motive of our musical direction along with carrying this idea to bridge the gap between our cultures through music. On our second trip back we established ourselves as The Busy Twist.
Gabriel then stepped away from the project in 2015 to pursue other things but the mission continued with Zongo and I working together and taking frequent trips to Colombia and the Caribbean to broaden our sound. Recently Oli Cole [Bagheera] joined as the new member of the collective. He is behind one of the first afro bass nights in London called Kartel where we’ve been residents from the beginning.
THE BUSY TWIST
For the last couple of years The Busy Twist have put original releases on hold and set about crafting new projects with a new label to match. With past releases on Soundway Records and The People’s Ear, their authentic imprint Busy Life reflects a restless pursuit to carve out more beats and rhythms to add to their collection of West African, South American, Caribbean and UK bass inspired fusion music. Last month they re-announced themselves on the scene with the label’s debut EP Sunny Side. It features long-time collaborator Zongo Abongo and is inspired by their ongoing trips to Ghana and the relationships they’ve built with local musicians. We talked to the minds behind the project, Ollie Twist and Oli Cole, about the evolution of their sound, their experiences crafting music overseas in Ghana and Colombia, which of their tracks have been truly popping, and some of the thinking behind their vision for borderless music intended for D-floors worldwide. What’s more the pair add a cherry on top with a beautiful mix of some of their favourite cuts and grooves from the sunny side of their travels.
Before we had established the the Busy Twist, myself (Ollie Twist) and Gabriel Benn (Tuesday Born) first went to Ghana in 2011 to produce a reggae project for an artist called Yaga Yo and also Malikia (Zongo Abongo). During the time there being exposed to so much afrobeat music and traditional highlife we were instantly hooked on the sounds and it wasn’t until Zongo Abongo suggested we try to mix their styles with our electronic uk style that it became the motive of our musical direction along with carrying this idea to bridge the gap between our cultures through music. On our second trip back we established ourselves as The Busy Twist.
Gabriel then stepped away from the project in 2015 to pursue other things but the mission continued with Zongo and I working together and taking frequent trips to Colombia and the Caribbean to broaden our sound. Recently Oli Cole [Bagheera] joined as the new member of the collective. He is behind one of the first afro bass nights in London called Kartel where we’ve been residents from the beginning.