“Toil, Sweat and Sun” is a track from the upcoming album ‘Nijerusalem’ released via the constantly brilliant Batov Records. This collaboration between Nigerian synth pioneer Mamman Sani and Berlin-based electronic artist Tropikal Camel is a remarkable endeavour that interprets African tradition with modern sensibilities.

This fateful collaboration originated at the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda, where these two artists met. Mamman Sani, a Nigerian musician, who is considered as an early pioneer of synth music in Niger. He started recording in 1978 and wrote Niger’s new national anthem as well. Tropikal Camel, the head of Tribak Records, describes the label as “a space for brave ears.” Camel fuses Arabic and Levantine elements to symbolise heritage and futurism by using driving bass, deep pads, and chopped chants.

“Toil, Sweat and Sun” excels in every aspect of musical standards, i.e. melody, harmony, and rhythm. Traditional instruments of Africa and modern drum sets, as well as electronic samples, can be heard. In an immaculate tandem, African polyrhythmic playing merges with modern, wobbly electronic music. The thumping bass lines stay in a groovy pocket throughout. It occasionally takes a detour from the percussion but eventually meets the central groove without missing a single beat.

The background or the harmony draws heavily from 80’s disco, as does the rhythm section. This harmony on synths stays true to the underlying time signature and rhythm, but it has a unique role to play. Camel’s percussive electronic beats are fused organically with Mamman’s synth melodies. A copious amount of short and catchy melodies can be found in this track, and they help in establishing a rich amalgamation of rhythmic ideas.

For the fans of fusion music, this urgent track by Sani and Camel ought to be a cherishable experience, to say the least.