NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer, songwriter, and True Groove Records CEO, Tomás Doncker, is set to release his powerful new single, ‘Wha-Gwaan!’, on February 7th, 2025. The track features guest drums and vocals from Frank Benbini of Fun Lovin’ Criminals and UB40 fame, adding an extra layer of dynamism to this genre-blending anthem.

‘Wha-Gwaan!’ is a socially charged Afrobeat-dub-funk fusion that serves as a rallying cry against the rising tide of social and racial injustices worldwide. The title, a Jamaican Patois greeting meaning “What’s going on?”, draws inspiration from Marvin Gaye’s timeless classic What’s Going On. Tomás Doncker explains:

“The legendary Nigerian Godfather of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, once said: ‘Music is the weapon of the future.’ Well, the future is most definitely NOW! The hypnotic dub-funk groove of ‘Wha-Gwaan!’ was designed to be a wake-up call. It’s brought to a boiling point by the incredible Frank Benbini, whose energy on drums and hype vocals is nothing short of electrifying.”

A Legacy of Creativity

Tomás Doncker has been a trailblazer in New York’s music and arts scene since the 1980s, performing with groundbreaking No Wave and Punk Funk acts such as The Contortions and Defunkt. Over the decades, his genre-defying career has included collaborations with legends like Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ivan Neville, Patti Smith, and The Specials. His critically acclaimed works have earned praise from major outlets, including Rolling Stone, BBC, CNN, and NPR’s All Songs Considered.

‘Wha-Gwaan!’ follows Doncker’s recent EP The AMPlified Soul Remixes, a collaboration with the late Grammy-winning funk legend Amp Fiddler, renowned for his work with Prince and Seal.

A Special London Show

To celebrate the single’s release, Tomás Doncker will perform at the iconic Cumberland Hotel in London, a venue steeped in music history, having hosted legends like Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and Jimi Hendrix. The event, run in partnership with Eel Pie Records, will feature Doncker alongside his True Groove All-Stars band, which includes members of The Specials. Fans can also expect surprise guest appearances.

Eel Pie Records, co-founded by The Who’s Pete Townshend, continues to honor its rich musical heritage as a record store and cultural hub. The Cumberland Hotel show will be a rare opportunity to experience Doncker’s dynamic sound in an intimate setting.

UK Spotlight

Tomás Doncker is quickly becoming a fixture in the UK music scene. Following this show, he will support KillerStar during their two-night residency at London’s legendary 100 Club, a band that features several of David Bowie’s former collaborators.

True Groove Records: A Creative Powerhouse

For over a decade, Doncker’s label, True Groove Records, has been a home for boundary-pushing music. The label has facilitated projects with P-Funk’s Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” Hampton, hip-hop pioneer Keith Shocklee (Public Enemy/Bomb Squad), and iconic producer Bill Laswell.

Notably, Doncker’s collaborations with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa have resulted in critically acclaimed albums like Big Apple Blues and The Black Magnolia Project. Their most recent work, ENDANGERED, an audio-visual exploration of Black male identity in America, has been hailed as “a modern-day Revolution of the Mind.”

‘Wha-Gwaan!’ will be available on all major streaming platforms on February 7th, 2025. Fans of socially conscious, genre-defying music won’t want to miss this explosive track, showcasing the combined talents of Tomás Doncker and Frank Benbini.

For more information, visit True Groove Records.

Author: Adam Bailey

Adam is a regular contributor for established press release distribution website Release-News.com. He writes on a wide range of topics including music.