Iset Sankofa

Sounds Without Borders

Iset Sankofa forges ahead of the turntable constellation with a stunningly refreshing kinda sound. This is the ‘all genres considered’ milieu… where dusty Malian Blues takes a night stroll with Dub, Naija Hip Hop flirts dangerously with gritty Kingston Dancehall and bubbly Brazilian Electronica steams a peace-pipe with Afro-Jazz Futurism. For this self-described ‘bird’, she is always reaching beyond ‘the beyond’ and fetching back what she terms as musical source-code. In that, we can find a song or a groove so undeniable in its appeal that it not only builds on the idea of the universality of music, but of sound itself. Her musical selections have a way of running past the dance-able and the obvious. Usually, the next stop is a bold convergence of history and magic—one that playfully wields the listener into the lush, downright sensuous terrain that music can be.

Ahead of the March 2016 return of the Sankofa Sessions (details TBA this week), Iset Sankofa is set to release ‘Back To Life’ 2016 appreciation mix tape via her soundcloud, social media networks and website. Her time spent away from the turntables usually means more writing projects, namely ‘Kingston Warrior Guide’, a web mag that will bring the sights and sounds of Jamaica and the African continent alive in true Sankofa stylee. Iset also does a monthly guest DJ stint on RJR94 FM alongside second generation Wailer, Abijah ‘Wailer’ Livingston aka DJ Asadenaki. Tune in every third Wednesday from midnight to 5:00 AM. #ThePastThePresentTheRemix.