A labour of love dating back to 2016 has finally yielded Inner Reflection, a spectacular new album for Kunle Ayo, the celebrated guitar maestro.

The 12 track Inner Reflection is released today and it’s set to be a favourite of jazz appreciators and music lovers of all persuasions. 

The long journey started five years ago when he reached out to award winning pianist Nduduzo Makhathini as Kunle started writing ideas for his new album. He took a trip down to East London where Nduduzo is based to sharpen ideas and work with him in his space.

“Nduduzo has been a dear friend and brother having worked with him on several projects, one of which was Omagugu’s album so he was very open to the idea,” Kunle reminisces. “We also did a concept gig at the then Orbit titled AKOJOPO, which means the coming together. It celebrated popular African artists from all of Africa, so Nduduzo and I had a connection from there even into the studio.”

Interestingly, by the end of 2018, the ideas for Inner Reflection were finalised, but due to the death of his mother in 2019, he couldn’t release the album. It was a blessing in disguise as it gave him time to rework the music and incorporate some modern sounds.

Kunle shares that most of the songs were written from lessons life taught him and they gave voice to the thoughts in his head.