Oakwood London Studio is proud to announce a remarkable recording session that brought together three influential voices across generations and continents: Pat Thomas, the legendary Ghanaian highlife icon; Joi N’Juno (David Baluteau), French producer and multi-instrumentalist; and Sumosui (Emmanuel Dalton), founder of Canopy Records.

The trio’s meeting at Oakwood represents a rare intersection of legacy, innovation, and rhythm — a dialogue between Africa’s golden age of sound and the global pulse of contemporary music.

Pat Thomas — “The Golden Voice of Africa”

With a career spanning over five decades, Pat Thomas remains one of Ghana’s most revered musical figures. Born Nana Kwabena Amo Mensah in the Ashanti Region, Thomas rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s, performing with icons such as Ebo Taylor and fronting influential groups Sweet Beans and Marijata.

After years performing internationally in Berlin and Canada, Thomas revitalised his sound alongside the Kwashibu Area Band, reintroducing his timeless voice to new audiences. Singing in Fante and Ashanti Twi, his music bridges traditional highlife with funk, Afro-pop, and modern influences.

“Highlife is evolving — even today’s Afro-Pop still carries its DNA.” — Pat Thomas

Celebrated for both his artistry and his advocacy for Ghana’s musical heritage, Thomas continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans worldwide.

Joi N’Juno (David Baluteau) — The Modern Fusionist

Under his alias Joi N’Juno, French musician David Baluteau brings a vibrant blend of styles informed by his earlier work as founder and frontman of La Phaze, the pioneering electro-punk and drum & bass outfit.

Now affiliated with Canopy Records, Joi N’Juno’s solo work explores a lush fusion of 1970s/80s disco, funk, zouk-boogie, Afro-funk, and modern electronic textures. His 2024 debut album Samemala positioned him as a creative force reviving the spirit of dance music with a global outlook.

“My mission is to bring forgotten grooves into the present — to dance, but with reverence.” — Joi N’Juno

At Oakwood, his signature groove-driven style and melodic instincts met Pat Thomas’s timeless voice in an inspired cross-cultural dialogue.

Sumosui (Emmanuel Dalton) — Founder of Canopy Records

Originally from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and now based between Lisbon and Ragusa, Sumosui (Emmanuel Dalton) is a DJ, curator, and the creative director behind Canopy Records, which he founded in 2020.

Driven by a passion for rediscovering and re-presenting overlooked musical gems, Sumosui’s label focuses on African disco, funk, Afrobeat, boogie, and tropical rhythms, offering expertly restored reissues and new productions. The label’s signature aesthetic — what Sumosui calls “Sub-Saharan synth swagger” — merges vintage groove with modern sound design.

“Every track on Canopy started in my crate — I just wanted to give them voice again.” — Sumosui

At Oakwood, Sumosui’s curatorial insight anchored the collaboration, linking tradition and modernity through Canopy’s distinctive sonic identity.

Inside the Oakwood Session

The session at Oakwood London Studio became a melting pot of generations, genres, and geographies.

• Inter-generational dialogue: Pat Thomas brought decades of highlife mastery; Joi N’Juno contributed his modern fusion energy; Sumosui bridged both worlds through his curatorial direction.
• Cross-cultural sound: Ghanaian highlife met French electro-funk and Canopy’s tropical sound palette, creating music that is both grounded and futuristic.
• Legacy and innovation: The collaboration reflects a shared mission — to preserve, reinterpret, and globalise Africa’s musical heritage.

Whether this session leads to a new single, remix, or full-scale release under Canopy Records, it stands as a testament to the timeless adaptability and influence of African rhythm.