Oluma
A resounding testament to global groove from Leipzig
“…musical ‘soul food’ at its finest.”, RBB
“…the group delivers eleven captivating, exclusively instrumental tracks in which rigor rivals inventiveness…” Fabien Mollon Le Monde
“This album is a real discovery! Skillfully grooving rhythms and melodies. Dance music that puts you in a party mood. Perfectly arranged with many captivating solo parts.” jazz-fun.de
“I play yours, you play mine. The music never ends.” The timeless mantra of the legendary Tony Allen serves as the musical maxim of the young Leipzig band OLUMA. True to this guiding principle, the nine-member collective created an impressive, boundless fusion: an energetic blend of Afrobeat, funk, jazz, and Brazilian rhythms. With their album Cooking Time, released on April 5, 2024, OLUMA made a resounding statement in the global groove scene. The album was released on the Danish label One World Records.
OLUMA was founded in 2021 by bassist Gregor Nicolai, drummer André van der Heide, and saxophonist Roman Polatzky. The band’s purely instrumental compositions can be categorized as global groove. They create dense grooves, played by powerful, energetic brass lines, culminating in expansive, virtuoso improvisations. The four wind instruments command the entire sonic palette and can also transport the audience into a dreamy, floating world of sound.
André and Gregor began their musical journey in Berlin’s multicultural scene as young adults, which inspired them to weave together a wide variety of musical influences. Their love for handcrafted groove music and their passion for danceable music grew during numerous all-night parties. Gregor is not only in demand as a bassist but also works as a DJ and brings a keen sense for various musical genres. Added to this is André’s rhythmic expertise on the drums. They met Roman in the orbit of the Leipzig University of Music, where the band formed with an international lineup. The album title, Cooking Time, wasn’t chosen by chance: The music was created in collaborative songwriting sessions – beats are crafted, ideas are recorded, and the songs are then arranged and rehearsed. Of course, breaks are a must – so the band enjoys sharing not only the stage but also the dining table. Cooking Time was the perfect music, and OLUMA provided the perfect ingredient: In addition to the vinyl and CD, there was an organic spice blend created by Elias Abdennour, owner of the Leipzig spice factory Bazar. These same spices were also used to create the artwork by Mauricio Vivas, the band’s guitarist.
For the recordings, OLUMA enlisted the help of renowned producer Umberto Echo, an expert in delay effects and a passionate Afrobeat lover. By using old analog technology, Echo manages to create a nostalgic sound that meets a modern and powerful production. With their successful debut album, OLUMA shared the idea that music is a universal language that connects people and contributes to global understanding. The band is currently working on new material and announces the release of a new EP for spring 2026. In recent years, the band has performed on countless club and festival stages, including the Fusion Festival, Jazzahead, WERK2 Leipzig, etc., and has continuously developed their performance. Their captivating live performances and their artistic diversity make them one of the most exciting bands on the current music scene.
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