The Wah Wah Collective
Encyclopedia
"The Wah Wah Collective" were initially a London based neo-soul
underground music group who released vinyl only EP and Singles from 2002-2005. The music group gained notoriety for their mixture of neo-soul with alternative dance. The Wah Wah Collective founding members were Georgeyo and Najero Okenabirhire. The Wah Wah Collective were on the Greasy Geezers
imprint label distributed by Kudos Records, Goya and Pinnacle. The Greasy Geezers label was the creation of Najero Okenabirhie
who previously worked with Sanctuary Music Management. The sister arm of the Wah Wah Collective were a latin /acoustic based group called Gafanhoto Lingo an additional project created by The Wah Wah Collective founding members. Gafanhoto Lingo were accompanied by guitarist/ vocalist Mathieu Karsenti.
"Pete Mclntyre, IDJ Magazine - R&B Soul Tunes Review, March 2004"
"Dom Servini, Straight No Chaser - Singles Review, Spring 2004"
"Matilda Egere-Cooper, Blues & Soul Magazine - Singles Review, April 2004"
(Smooth 102.2 FM), Patrick Forge
(The Cosmic Jam - Kiss 100 FM) and also on US radio with Rafe Gomez The Groove Boutique Jazz show on KJZY FM (New York).
Mathieu Karsenti former guitarist/vocalist for Gafanhoto Lingo went on to set up the production and composing company Intricuts music focusing on music compositions for TV, film, theatre and multimedia. Notable clients were the Britain's Got Talent, Series 3
(ITV, 2009) winners Diversity
.
utilized the Wah Wah Collective archive to resample and release a single by performer Bada Badoo from X-Factor, UK series 7
(ITV/SYCO, 2010). Conceptual Love was based on the unreleased Wah Wah Collective song ‘Quartet Junkie’. A future Wah Wah Collective album is planned to be released by I-innovate (UK) showcasing unreleased material and digitally re-mastered versions of their original vinyl releases over the last ten years with additional contributions from affiliated artists.
Neo soul
The term neo soul was originally coined by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s as a marketing category following the commercial breakthroughs of artists such as D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell...
underground music group who released vinyl only EP and Singles from 2002-2005. The music group gained notoriety for their mixture of neo-soul with alternative dance. The Wah Wah Collective founding members were Georgeyo and Najero Okenabirhire. The Wah Wah Collective were on the Greasy Geezers
Greasy Geezers
"Greasy Geezers" are a dance production unit based in East London whose production portfolio covers commercial urban/pop, electro dance, hip-hop and go-go remakes...
imprint label distributed by Kudos Records, Goya and Pinnacle. The Greasy Geezers label was the creation of Najero Okenabirhie
I-innovate (UK)
I-innovate is a London-based independent record label that diversified from video production in to music management from 2009. I-innovate were founded by Najero Okenabirhie in 2008. I-innovate work with freelance directors, marketers and artists in music and graphic design providing ad-hoc...
who previously worked with Sanctuary Music Management. The sister arm of the Wah Wah Collective were a latin /acoustic based group called Gafanhoto Lingo an additional project created by The Wah Wah Collective founding members. Gafanhoto Lingo were accompanied by guitarist/ vocalist Mathieu Karsenti.
Critical Reception
The Wah Wah Collective were warmly received by the UK underground urban media in the early 00’s. Wah Wah releases were often reviewed by genre leading UK publications."Pete Mclntyre, IDJ Magazine - R&B Soul Tunes Review, March 2004"
" ‘London’s Wah Wah Collective under the guidance of veteran producer Georgeyo hit playdirt with this superb double-header. ‘Tell Me Why’ is a superb late night slinky groove featuring the feline purr of vocalist Fiona Faye; Flip-over to ‘Gordo’ for a breezy Cuban influenced dancer guaranteed to get you moving. Excellent.".
"Dom Servini, Straight No Chaser - Singles Review, Spring 2004"
" ‘Not to be confused with the record label with the same name, The Wah Wah Collective come through with their second 12” release, and it’s the best so far. Fiona Faye’s vocals fit really nicely in to this downtempo jazz ditty with its tender fender rhodes and soulful strings. Perfect after-hours listening".
"Matilda Egere-Cooper, Blues & Soul Magazine - Singles Review, April 2004"
"‘This is R&B jazz well done. Producer Georgeyo has built up an impressive track record over the last few years, and the track offers a snapshot of his predominantly jazz sound, with other styles sneaking in here and there. Track number two ‘Gordo’, provides more of an earthly vibrant percussive vibe-straight out of Cuba - and where ‘Tell Me Why’ whispers ‘sun-down’, this one is sunny Balearic beach bar music. If that’s your thing. You’ll dig it. (Verdict : Smooth soul vibrations for the sophisticated set)".
Radio Reception
Several titles from the Wah Wah Collective roster were supported with UK National Radio airplay on shows such as Rosie Kendrick (Late Lounge)102.2 Jazz FM
102.2 Jazz FM was a local jazz and soul music station for London run by GMG Radio. The station was based and broadcast from Castlereagh Street in London to around 15.5 million people within the broadcasting area...
(Smooth 102.2 FM), Patrick Forge
Patrick Forge
Patrick Forge is a British jazz, jazz-dance and soul music DJ who spent much of the late 1980s and early 1990s DJing alongside Gilles Peterson at the famous Dingwalls club in Camden, North London....
(The Cosmic Jam - Kiss 100 FM) and also on US radio with Rafe Gomez The Groove Boutique Jazz show on KJZY FM (New York).
The Mid 00’s
After releasing several tiles on vinyl the music group decided to venture in to different projects. Georgeyo set up another leftfield group called Stark (Futuristica Music). Najero left the band and set up I-innovate Communications a video production / indie label. I-innovate (UK) who maintained ownership of the Greasy Geezers label roster and music archive. Greasy Geezers the imprint was disbanded and turned in to a dance production house under the I-innovate (UK) label.Mathieu Karsenti former guitarist/vocalist for Gafanhoto Lingo went on to set up the production and composing company Intricuts music focusing on music compositions for TV, film, theatre and multimedia. Notable clients were the Britain's Got Talent, Series 3
Britain's Got Talent (series 3)
The 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent was the third series of the programme. It began airing on ITV on 11 April. The 2009 panel of judges consisted of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan...
(ITV, 2009) winners Diversity
Diversity (dance troupe)
Diversity are an English street dance troupe based in London. They are best known for winning the third series of Britain's Got Talent, famously beating Susan Boyle in the live final. They also won the Families United Positive Role Models at the Spirit of London Awards. The group, initially known...
.
2010 Onwards
I-innovate (UK)I-innovate (UK)
I-innovate is a London-based independent record label that diversified from video production in to music management from 2009. I-innovate were founded by Najero Okenabirhie in 2008. I-innovate work with freelance directors, marketers and artists in music and graphic design providing ad-hoc...
utilized the Wah Wah Collective archive to resample and release a single by performer Bada Badoo from X-Factor, UK series 7
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
(ITV/SYCO, 2010). Conceptual Love was based on the unreleased Wah Wah Collective song ‘Quartet Junkie’. A future Wah Wah Collective album is planned to be released by I-innovate (UK) showcasing unreleased material and digitally re-mastered versions of their original vinyl releases over the last ten years with additional contributions from affiliated artists.
Singles & EPs
- "Everytime" (Greasy Geezers, 2003)
- "Pryin Eyes" (Greasy Geezers, 2003)
- "Tell Me Why" (Greasy Geezers, 2004)
- "Gordo" (Greasy Geezers, 2004)
- "Life On Your Mind" (Gafanhoto Lingo) (Greasy Geezers, 2004)
External links
- Wah Wah Collective — Official Website
- Wah Wah Collective Discog's Page
- Gafanhoto Lingo Discog's Page