Landing via Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings.
The debut EP from KOKOROKO has arrived.
In the London-based octet’s self-titled effort, vibrant and soulful horns, dexterous guitar licks and communal vocals are shrouded in a contemporary grit for an end product that both looks to the future and pays homage to the past.
Closing track ‘Abusey Junction’ retains the same entrancing, pensive mood that was presented when featuring as the most compelling moment on Gilles Peterson’s 2018 compilation We Out Here. Elsewhere the three remaining tracks that comprise KOKOROKO venture explosive horns underpinned by assertive and nimble, club-friendly rhythms, recalling the sonic bedrock of West African musical luminaries such as Ebo Taylor and Peter King.
Listen to KOKOROKO and view the band’s upcoming tour dates below.
KOKOROKO – 2019 tour dates
March 22 – Millau, France @ Millau Jazz Festival
April 17 – Borgerhout, Belgium @ De Roma
April 18 – Paris, France @ New Morning
April 19 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet
April 20 – Rotterdam, Netherlands @ Motel Mozaique
April 26 – Basel, Switzerland @ Jazzfestival Basel
May 8 – Zürich, Switzerland @ Exil
May 8 – Berlin, Germany @ Xjazz festival
May 9 – Berlin, Germany @ Bi Nuu
May 16 – Strasbourg, France @ Jardin Des Deux Rives
May 18 – Strasbourg, France @ Jardin Des Deux Rives
May 30 – Würzburg, Germany @ International Africa Festival
May 31 – Hamburg, Germany @ Elbjazz festival
July 25 – Malmesbury, UK @ Womad
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
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Fruit and Grooves Collective 