We recently had the delightful opportunity to check out the new single “WHA-GWAAN” , from NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer and songwriter Tomás Doncker (feat. Frank Benbini)

You can listen to “WHA-GWAAN” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here

We were instantly attracted to “WHA-GWAAN” which, features guest drums and vocals rom Fun Lovin’ Criminals/UB40’s Frank Benbini.The groove-alicious is being released on Doncker’s label True Groove Records

Tomás Doncker has long been a prime mover on the New York music, arts and culture scenes. From the early 1980s, as a member of groundbreaking No Wave and Punk Funk bands The Contortions and Defunkt, international touring, recording and songwriting collaborations with the likes of Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Madonna, The Specials and the legendary Ms. Patti Smith, to helming his own band The True Groove All-Stars, Tomás has established himself as a cross-genre innovator without peer.

Doncker’s previous works have seen praise from the likes of BBC, CNN, Huff Post, MOJO, Spin, Brooklyn Vegan and NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered’, Guitar World, All About Jazz, Paste Magazine, Rolling Stone and Blues Matters Magazine where he was a recent main cover feature.

Wha-Gwaan!’ follow’s September’s EP ‘The AMPlified Soul Remixes’, Doncker’s most recent collaboration with the late acclaimed, grammy award winning ‘ambassador of funk’ Amp Fiddler, renowned for his performances with the likes of Prince and Seal.

The track serves as a wake up call to the increasing levels of social and racial injustice and the lack of acknowledgement of it.

On Wha-Gwaan!’s subject matter, Doncker says, “The legendary Nigerian Godfather of Afro Beat, Fela Ransome Kuti once said: ‘Music is the weapon of the future’. Well…The future is most definitely NOW! ‘Wah Gwaan’ is a Jamaican Patois greeting that means ‘what’s going on?’ or ‘what’s up?’. The lyric is a modern day riff on Marvin Gaye’s classic ‘What’s Going On’. Through an Afro Beat / Funk-Rebel music lens. It was designed to be a wake up call response to the seemingly increasing presence of social injustice in the world today. The hypnotic dub-funk groove is brought to the boiling point by the legendary Frank Benbini (Fun Lovin’ Criminals/UB40/Uncle Frank), who I’m thrilled makes a guest appearance on drums and hype vocals.”

When we listen to “WHA-GWAAN” we are reminded why we love music so much . Tomás Doncker along with Frank Benbini has created a vibrant and stunning track we can’t help but love with every being of our music loving heart . “WHA-GWAAN” effortlessly moves our mind , body ( and feet )

You owe it to yourself to check out “WHA-GWAAN” from Tomás Doncker featuring Frank Benbini

 DATES:

February 7th 2025 – The Cumberland Hotel, London (An Eel Pie Records Event)
March 7th 2025 – The 100 Club, London (Supporting KillerStar)
March 8th 2025 – The 100 Club, London (Supporting KillerStar)
July 27th 2025 – High Tide Festival, Twickenham