Biography
Multi-instrumentalist André Akinyele was the pioneering force of the cyber-jazz movement of the mid-to late '00s with his band Gemini Soul, which merged musical technology with jazz, funk, fusion, and political topical experimentation; along the lines of the '70s jazz/fusion movement that included such artists as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Parliament-Funkadelic. His first five albums as Marcel, including his debut album The Diary of Marcel (1998), found Akinyele heavily influenced by Prince. But, it wasn’t until the passing of his grandmother, the changing of his name, and then playing jazz that he would depart from that influence, coming into his own as Ajamu Akinyele (meaning strong warrior in the Yoruba language of Nigeria, Africa) with releases such as Supernova (2005) and, with his band Gemini Soul, The Nefertiti Xperience (2008 - Number 15 Amazon’s Hot New Releases: The Bestselling New & Future Releases Chart), and Dark Skin Babies : The Movement (2009 - Number 13 Amazon’s Hot New Releases: The Bestselling New & Future Releases Chart).
André Marcel Ajamu Akinyele was born on June 21, 1972 as André Marcel Wilson in Richmond, CA (Hilltop/El Sobrante area) but raised in Oakland, CA. He's been signed three times by independent labels (even signed as Michael Angelo in 1989 releasing a single titled "Brina Brown" in Europe), but decided in 1998 to go on his own right at the brink of the digital age, tired of all the false promises. That decision led to his debut album The Diary of Marcel released in 1998 on his own label Bombay Recording Company. It was a refreshing take on Old-School R&B, reminiscent of Tevin Campbell and Rahsaan Patterson. He toured the local circuit and became a true contender on the independent scene. He then released Spice: The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience in 2001 to critical success garnering rave reviews and media exposure. Throughout the '00s, he continued recording with his last Marcel album being released in 2004 to make the transition to playing jazz as Ajamu Akinyele, primarily a bassist and band leader. He stated that he had nothing else to say lyrically.
After several successful albums with his band Gemini Soul, who toured relentlessly for five years, in 2012, he released The Potomac Syndrome as André Akinyele. It was a return to his funk roots. The album was also a return to his Prince influenced sound, along with a nod to Lenny Kravitz. It was held as one of his best efforts after performing jazz for a long period. The songwriting was mature and on point, just as his newest effort Metal Skin and Ivory Birds that questions the world where no one or nothing is off limits.
Discography as:
Andre Akinyele
Metal Skin and Ivory Birds (2015)
The Potomac Syndrome (2012)
Gemini Soul
Dark Skin Babies : The Movement (2009)
The Nefertiti Xperience (2008)
"Live" The Liquid Soul Tour (2007)
Liquid Soul (2007)
A Cyber Jazz Holiday (2005)
Ajamu Akinyele
Black Magic : The Cyber Jazz Experience (2006)
Supernova (2005)
Marcel
Secret Weapon Volumes 1 & 2 (2004)
Uptown : 2025 E.P. The Remixes (2004)
Uptown : 2025 A.D. (2003)
Spice : The Alternative Hip-Hop Experience (2001)
The Diary of Marcel (1998)
Michael Angelo
Brina Brown (1989 - 12' Single)
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