On their debut album Cooking Time, up & coming German 9-piece outfit OLUMA blends afrobeat, funk, jazz, Brazilian influences, exotic beats and global grooves to create an atmospheric sonic tapestry across 11 instrumental tracks.

Following Tony Allens‘ mantra “I play yours, you play mine. The music never ends”, up & coming 9-piece band OLUMA, based in Leipzig, Germany, creates an impressive mix of afrobeat, funk, jazz and Brazilian music on their debut album Cooking Time, out on the Danish label One World Records.

OLUMA was founded in 2021 by bassist Gregor Nicolai, drummer André van der Heide and saxophonist Roman Polatzky. Combining dense, intricate grooves with energetic brass lines that lead into virtuosic improvisations is the group’s bread and butter. However, the ability to guide their audience floating into a light, yet rich and lush harmonic dream world is ever present.

Carried by the rhythm section, the four wind players create a versatile sound, often virtuoso snappy lines, sometimes floating and free. Driving rhythms unfold and make you move – it’s all about the experience with each other. The instrumental compositions that result can be categorized as global groove.

The album title Cooking Time did not come about by chance: the music is created in joint songwriting sessions, where beats are tinkered with and ideas are sung. The band not only enjoys sharing the stage, but also the dining table. Cooking Time is the perfect music for this and OLUMA also provides the perfect ingredient.

In addition to the vinyl and CD, there will also be an organic spice mix, which also adorns the artwork. The band enlisted the help of delay nerd and afrobeat aficionado Umberto Echo for their recordings, who uses old analog technology to create a nostalgic sound that meets modern production.

Over the past two years, the band has already performed on a number of stages, including Fusion Festival, Folklorum, Badehaus Berlin, Moritzbastei Leipzig, Roots & Sprouts Festival and has constantly developed its live show.

With their debut album, OLUMA wants to share the idea that music can contribute to global understanding and connect people. OLUMA presents a resounding testimony to the universal language of music. Their rousing performances and artistic diversity make them one of the most exciting bands on the contemporary music scene.