On May 6th 2023, most of the nation were watching the coronation of King Charles III. But in a hot and sweaty East London venue, a crowd of rebels bucked the trend to witness Chiminyo record his new, live and completely improvised, electronic/jazz record, NRG 2. 

 

Halfway through the set, the charismatic drummer asks the audience "Do we have any rampant anti-monarchists in the crowd?" and the overwhelming response confirms he’s amongst the right people. 

 

Inspired by chants of the anti-monarchist movement (some of whom were arrested for peacefully protesting earlier that day) Chiminyo gives this battle cry a new stomping rhythm and teaches it to the crowd. And when the band drops in, the result is electric. 

 

What follows is a dirty, euphoric, grime anthem. Emotively chanted by a raucous crowd as the band seamlessly set about their masterful improvisations. After a monstrous ‘trigger finger in the air’ solo by Ezra Collective Saxophonist, James Mollison, the tune escalates to a heavy metal inspired dub-step climax. With Wonky Logic’s rumbling keytar-bass-synth exploding around the room and leaving everyone, frantically head-banging.

 

Not My King is the first single from NRG 2. The second in a series of performances where Chiminyo brings together uniquely curated line-ups of some of the most forward thinking musicians from London's Jazz and Electronic Scene for one night only. The result is recorded and released on Chiminyo’s new label NRG Discs digitally, and on limited edition Vinyl runs. Available on his bandcamp page.

 

Chiminyo - Drums 

James Mollison - Saxophone

Axel Kaner-Lidstrom - Trumpet

David Mrakpor -  Keys/Bass Guitar

Wonky Logic - Bass Synth/Synthesisers