Roster Update: Highlife & Afro-Funk Legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley Joins bureau45
We are thrilled to announce a monumental addition to our roster for the upcoming 2027 season: West Africa’s iconic musical pioneer Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Sekondi Band are now officially available for booking through bureau45!
The Ghanaian saxophonist, singer, and producer is a true living legend in global music history. As the pioneer of the „Simigwa Sound“ in the early 1970s, he became one of the very first artists to blend traditional Highlife rhythms with spoken-word rap—years before Hip-Hop broke commercially in the US. Today, he is universally celebrated as the „Godfather of Hiplife.“
Musical Style and Live Presentation:
- Stylistic Diversity & Crossover: Ambolley’s sound blends traditional Highlife and Afrobeat with elements of heavy funk and progressive jazz. On his acclaimed album „Highlife Jazz“, he reinterpreted classics by jazz icons such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis through a West African lens, making his music highly relevant for traditional jazz settings as well.
- The Live Concept: On stage, Ambolley is backed by his eight-piece Sekondi Band. The lineup—featuring a precise horn section and traditional West African percussion—delivers a high-energy, danceable, and rhythmically complex live performance.
- Historical Relevance: As a contemporary of icons like Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor, Ambolley represents the golden era of West African music. His performances bridge historical African rhythms and modern festival stages, appealing equally to world music audiences, jazz enthusiasts, and vinyl-digging communities.
Gabriele Poso – „The Magical Language of Percussion“
Roster Update: bureau45 Welcomes Gabriele Poso / New Album „Maraviglia“ Out Now
We are thrilled to welcome a true master of rhythm to the bureau45 family: multi-instrumentalist, producer, and percussion virtuoso Gabriele Poso!
To celebrate his arrival, Poso is dropping his magnificent sixth solo album, „Maraviglia“—a vibrant, groove-driven masterpiece that celebrates the power of collective musicianship.
The Sound: Italian Funk Meets Tropical Soul
Inspired by late-1970s Italian cinematic sounds and equatorial global rhythms, Maraviglia represents a brand-new chapter focused on joy, movement, and human connection. Rooted in Afro-Caribbean percussion, Mediterranean traditions, jazz sensibility, and tropical soul, the album blends deep club grooves with instant melodic accessibility.
100% Analog, 100% Alive
For this project, Poso fulfilled a long-time dream. The album was recorded in a beautiful analog studio in the south of Italy and tracked completely to tape using a vintage Studer 16-track machine.
- Organic Textures: Heavy live percussion, authentic Rhodes, and Hammond organs shape a warm, sun-drenched sonic palette.
- Full Live Brass: Rich, explosive horn sections elevate the energy.
- Zero Programming: Everything is played live by a full band. Nothing feels programmed; every single note breathes and moves naturally like a raw live session.
The Centerpiece: „Maraviglia“
The infectious title track stands as the album’s radiant centerpiece. It delivers a joyous mix of disco and Italian funk motifs driven by uplifting vocal harmonies. This track is immediate, melodic, and custom-built to set global dancefloors and festival stages on fire.
In an era of digital overload, Gabriele Poso brings the focus back to presence, touch, and shared rhythm. We are incredibly proud to represent this exceptional artist and bring his infectious energy to stages worldwide.
👉 Gabriele Poso is now available for live acts and DJ sets via bureau45. For booking inquiries, availability, and festival routing, get in touch with us directly
DJ KOFI Returns: A Cinematic Journey into Afrofuturism
We are thrilled to introduce the legendary DJ KOFI. Known for his work as a former Gorillaz Sound System DJ, UK Technics DMC Champion, and long-time tour DJ for Kelis, Kofi has spent decades mastering his craft on the world’s most iconic stages.
With his latest project, he marks a powerful return to the scene. This new Audio Visual Show is more than just a performance; it is a fusion of a classic DJ set and immersive, expansive art. After a three-year creative sabbatical in Ghana, Kofi has distilled his experiences from over 45 countries into a bold new vision.
He invites you on an audiovisual journey into Afrofuturism—a „Deep Fusion“ where hypnotic African rhythms meet the driving energy of electronic beats.
What makes this project truly unique is the level of creative control: Kofi has produced every beat and every visual element himself, creating a seamless synergy between sound and image. This is where the raw energy of a stadium tour meets the surgical precision of a DMC Champion.
Moving beyond standard club bookings, this concept is designed for both festival mainstages and progressive clubs that crave rhythmic intensity and artistic depth
NYC DJ Legend URSULA 1000 – New Album out in August (TBC)
We are thrilled to open the booking calendar for the one and only Ursula 1000 (aka Alex Gimeno).
The New York-based multi-instrumentalist and producer is a true global staple of eclectic electronic music. Known for his legendary ability to blend genres, his DJ sets are a high-energy journey through Italo Disco, Electro, House, Retro-Futurism, and Cinematic Grooves.
The Highlights:
- New Music: His highly anticipated 9th studio album, Decadanse, drops this August!
- The Vibe: A master of „genre-defying“ sounds—from 60s spy vibes to 80s synth-pop & funk.
- Track Record: Collaborations with Fred Schneider (The B-52s) and Lady Bunny; music featured in Sex and the City and major campaigns for Samsung and Adidas.
- Global Presence: From huge festivals alongside the Beastie Boys to his weekly residencies on East Village Radio and Barcelona City Radio.
Ursula 1000 is now available for European club and festival bookings for late summer and autumn 2026. Bring the sound of NYC’s coolest spots (like Xanadu and The Exley) to your dancefloor.
SWINGROWERS: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF FRESHLY SQUEEZED MUSIC
The Sicilian pioneers of Electro Swing, Swingrowers, are currently marking a significant milestone as part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations for their long-standing label, Freshly Squeezed Music. The band is prominently featured on the recently released anniversary album „20×25,“ which dropped in September 2025. This special collection includes four of their most popular tracks reimagined by 25 different artists, with the Riff Kitten remix of „Follow Me“ standing out as a fresh club favorite that bridges the gap between vintage jazz elegance and modern house energy.
Their latest original material continues to dominate the genre, with the single „Is It Really Me…Or Not“ reaching the #1 spot on Spotify’s official Electro Swing playlist shortly after its release. This success underscores the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to the signature sound that has earned them over 100 million streams worldwide.
On the live front, the group is currently showcasing a refined performance dynamic with their latest line-up, featuring the distinctive saxophone work of Ciro Pusateri. After a busy season of club and festival dates across the UK and Italy, the band remains one of the most in-demand international acts for 2026. Their reputation for high-energy shows—honed at major events like Glastonbury and SXSW—continues to make them a top-tier choice for organizers looking to bring a sophisticated yet explosive dance floor experience to their venues.
A new EP is in the pipeline and is coming later this year!