IF the Rollingstones and Jimmy Forrest were to have a middle child who learned how to play the saxophone before they even spoke their first words, chances are they would make music as captivating as Temitope Oladipupo’s “All My Life” instrumental recording. A couple of years ago, this writer began a deep hunt into classical music, ensembles, instrumental recordings and just every form of alternative music that’s still heavily marginalised within Afrobeats. The result of that interesting rabbit hole dive was a slew of talent discoveries, the latest being Temitope Oladipupo, a Nigerian saxophonist whose unique composition brims with expertise that feels criminally anonymous.
Oladipupo’s “All My Life” begins with an uptempo melodic section with a gripping piano and percussive progression that combines elements of Rock’ n Roll and Blues. The first 40 seconds grip the listener as dramatic drum rolls usher in Oladipupo’s Saxophone refrain. Across the 3-minute spin, the musician creates an immersive composition that is just as soothing as it is euphoric.
Following typical ‘90s Jazz traditions, the record speaks with a dramatic cadence that distinguishes it as both melody and message. Recorded as a Christian praise anthem, Oladipupo merges the melodic sections with a layered arrangement that induces a relaxing feel for most of the song. Yet, his expertise shines in his precise articulation that breathes life into the record. For instance, around the second minute, he plays a dashing long note that underlines the other instrumental progressions with a pacemaker effect. Just after 11 seconds, he dives straight with a tongue trill and vibrato that induces euphoria and dramatic tension in the song. His embouchure seems like something straight out of a music textbook, with how every riff rings clear with bated breaths and a harmonious punch.
Apart from his articulation and phrasing, the song also glimmers with clever refrains that establish its overarching signature melodic note. It’s a catchy tune that reels like a ’90s sitcom official soundtrack. Think NBC’s ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. The refrains not only help induce easy recall, but they also act as transitive devices, saturating the harmonic twists that appear in each melodic section. For instance, around the end of the first and second minutes, respectively, right after his explosive vibratos.
One other highlight that got me glued to my headphones was the alluring tonal balance that underlies the entire record. Throughout the record, the saxophone glides with a textured tempo that allows each distinct melody to shine, with extra space for drum solo improv fillers. This type of tonal balance allows for easier playback, giving the record an X-factor that keeps it memorable. It’s also responsible for the catharsis that defines its prowess. The song is woven with ample emotional duality that helps the listener dance, reflect, or relax.
If there are any drawbacks on the record, it would definitely be its brevity. Such genre-bending compositions tend to stretch longer, but Oladipupo’s cliff-hanging outro bridges the potential for an extended catharsis. While this is not really a spanner in the works for the song, it also could potentially induce ambiguity, especially with hasty listens. Nonetheless, its captivating intro and crescending outro — especially with its cinematic drum and piano solo improv build-up — still leave a powerful impression that keeps the record vibrant and endearing.
Overall, “All My Life” is that mood-lifting masterpiece that unlocks possibilities within the world of instrumental fusions. It’s a whirling listen that reaffirms the experimental nature of Jazz music, and its Blues/Rock’n’Roll undertones (thanks to Oladipupo’s melodic cadence) help unlock both catharsis and dramatic tension-and-release. The record sits as one of this writer’s finest discoveries for the month, and it is poised to soar as one of the most invigorating Christian Praise instrumental releases this season.
Oladipupo is a Nigerian saxophonist, composer, arranger, and recording artist with a trailblazing performance record across the Nigerian Christian music scene.
