23/11/2025
Having previously revisited the work of Ryo Kawasaki and Joan Bibiloni, NuNorthern Soul now shines a light on the expansive back catalogue of Jasper Van’t Hof’s pioneering electro-acoustic Afro-fusion collective, Pili Pili.
Best known in Balearic circles for the epic title track from their 1984 debut – reissued by NuNorthern Soul in 2024 with a fresh Coyote re-edit – the European-African ensemble earned worldwide respect for their cross-cultural sound and the dynamism of their partly improvised live shows.
Formed in 1984 by Dutch pianist Jasper Van’t Hof, the project blended his jazz-fusion roots with the music of North-West Africa. By then, Van’t Hof had already explored everything from traditional jazz combos to experimental ventures, including time in Jean-Luc Ponty’s first band, his jazz-rock outfit Porkpie, the all-electronic album Visitors, and Mama Rose, his celebrated live collaboration with Archie Shepp.
Pili Pili represented a bold new step. With percussionists and vocalists from Benin and Mali – including the now-legendary Angélique Kidjo – plus adventurous jazz soloists such as Tony Lakoto and Annie Whitehead, the group fused programmed and live percussion, electronic and acoustic textures, and Van’t Hof’s distinctive melodies and solos.
NuNorthern Soul’s retrospective centres on the collective’s most creative period, collecting six tracks recorded between 1984 and 2002. Together, they offer a vivid snapshot of the musical riches within the Pili Pili archive.
The journey opens with the percussive drive of 1984’s Ile and closes with the deep bass, gentle guitars, colourful synths and kalimba of 2002’s Soubatcha. Along the way comes the synth-pop-tinted sparkle of Jakko Jakko, the drum-led Life Size (both 1987), the playful flow of 1992’s Hippo Hips, and the cowbell-powered Afro-jazz energy of 1985’s My Gongoma.
As with past retrospectives, the vinyl edition of Selected Works 1984–2002 includes extended liner notes by music historian Matt Anniss, featuring fresh reflections and memories from Jasper Van’t Hof that tell the story of this remarkable cross-cultural collaboration.
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Jasper Van’t Hof’s Pili Pili: Selected Works 1984 to 2002 Links. Available on all popular platforms.
