Since joining the Leaving Records community in 2021 after a move from his Baltimore home, Collins Oboh (aka Colloboh) has become significant contributor to the ever fluid LA experimental scene. Able to focus on his music full-time the Nigerian born, self-taught synthesising soundscaper took the freefall of tunes he had shared with the world online as the foundation and looked to shape more permanent compositions.
His first EP for Leaving, the glitchy, hyperkinetic ‘Entity Relation’ was a techno-fuelled introduction to Colloboh’s modular world but his second release, ‘Saana Sahel’ (out from 5th May) promises to ease into an altogether wider dimension. Colloboh’s music, from the days of diarising his creative output on Instagram, has always been energised by the everyday. So it’s no surprise that ‘Saana Sahel’ promises to be more reflective, sensitive even, a response to personal challenges and an expression of working through them.
The EP’s preview track ‘Mystic You’ captures this deeper dive. Unhurried and immersive, it’s a tune that glides from an airy samba shuffle, where the keys are full toned and the synths flutter gorgeously, to higher levels of jazz informed turbulence. Colloboh has welcomed in some buddies to add to this sonic panorama. Drummer Mekala Session brings vibrant rhythmic physicality and Qu’ran Shaheed delivers soulful vocal grace. You could say things get expansive.
‘Mystic You’ is one of those tunes that spreads its wings and you just have to follow. Signs are that with ‘Saana Sahel’ Colloboh will offer up that same trajectory, so enjoy the flight.
Pre-order your copy of ‘Saana Sahel’ by Colloboh from Leaving Records Bandcamp HERE
