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Up to June 2006, Ola has released
a further 4 CD’s, which are ‘From Meaning Beyond Definition’ in
1997, ‘Precious Libations for Silent Gods’ in 1999, ‘Ambitions for
Deeper Breadth’ in 2002 and ‘In Emergency Brake Silence’ in 2004.
Many of his tracks also appear on various Soul compilation albums. A
live CD/DVD is in production stages at the moment and he is currently
on with his 6th studio album. An artist with a social conscience,
Ola dedicated his ‘Precious Libations for Silent Gods’ CD to Stephen
Lawrence, the black teenager who lost his life to racist thugs. Hippi
Baldwin mastered the latest CD ‘In Emergency Brake Silence’ at the
Metropolis Studios, London and combines Soul, Funk, Jazz along with
Ola’s African influences. Writing and producing his own work, as well
as for other artists. Most recently co writing and producing an album
for Polly Gibbons, a highly talented, young Jazz/Soul artist and has
toured England, Ireland, France and America this year, promoting ‘In
Emergency Brake Silence’ which was released in Europe and the US.
This artist is at home on stage, performing to an audience. He is an
extremely talented, passionate Soul man, as well as a talented
showman. Achievements include various TV ads and voice-overs, opening
for people such as Al Jarreau, George Michael, Gladys Knight, Tower Of
Power and Natalie Cole and his band of musicians regularly play with
the likes of Craig David, Tom Jones, Beverly Knight and Roy Ayres.
Ola has performed arias for the Royal Opera House and has recently
been commissioned to write a new aria for the Royal Opera House by
Nitro, due to be performed in 2007 and also has sponsorship from Shure
Microphones - which is quite rare for an Independent Artist. Ola was
the sole performer at David and Victoria Beckham’s wedding. The band
had been booked for a private gig and only became aware of who it was
actually for, when the media hype caught onto where the Beckhams were
getting married. With a 4-octave range voice, which will seduce you
like a honeydew melon on a hot summer’s day and classic Old Soul sound
which is young and fresh in feel musically to feed the appetite of a
whole range of ages and tastes, he has truly mastered his trade. When
asked how do you relax? Ola has been quoted as saying “music is my
relaxation”. You could hear his music being played in Café Nero in
2006 and he’s never to be found with time on his hands. As one of his
songs ‘How’ on his debut album says ‘Ile labo Simi Ise re’ - a saying
in Yoruba, the language of his Nigerian origins which means ‘in life
there is always struggle…the truly blessed rest at home’. An artist
who is indeed truly blessed with a strong, emotionally passionate
voice and graces us the audience with over 100 gigs a year with his
band of excellent musicians, we should be very proud of this gracious
British gentleman, long may his music continue.
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