KOKOROKO Schallplatten & CDs

Review: 'Get The Message' is London jazz collective Kokoroko's latest EP, and is set to follow fresh on the heels of their pre-release new single 'Three Piece Suit', featuring Azekel. The latter track is a heartwarming tribute to the Nigerian immigrant experience; an initial draft began life at Kokoroko's studio under the working title 'Get The Message', which led to an interesting dialogue between one-off single and wider EP; 'Three Piece Suit' was recorded first, but appears last on the EP, which overall mounts and rides a trotting broken jazz advance. Lilting vocals, brassed-backed chorus harmonies and chop-chop drumming all mirror the quiet confidence with which band member Onome Edgeworth's grandfather first touched down and made his way in Balham, London in the early 1960s. An intentional vessel for joy, coming heavily filled with themes of community, connection and relationships both romantic and platonic.

Review: Over a year since the release of their exhilarating debut album Could We Be More, Kokoroko present a new collection of remixes of tracks from their debut album. The record brings together a dizzying, globe-spanning array of contemporary music's most forward-thinking artists including Dreamcastmoe, anaiis, KeiyaA, Eun, Demae, Hagan, Ash Lauryn, Stefan Ringer, Miles James, and Vanyfox. A beguiling slice of contemporary jazzdance lent a fresh modern glitzing twist, mixing old friends and fresh faces alike, while not failing to demonstrate the enduring talents of Kokoroko in equal measure.

Review: Kokoroko have been on all world music lovers' radars since their very first and very impressive EP on Brownswood back in 2018. Now we are treated to an expansive and adventurous debut album on the same label that sees the group build on their great early start. Could We Be More has been preceded by new single 'We Give Thanks' and draws plenty of inspiration from the highlife and jazz sounds of West Africa, the Afrobeat and psych-funk sounds of the 70s and plenty of modern broken beat styles. Each tunes swells with emotion and evokes good times.

Review: Kokoroko very quickly broke through with the last EP on Brownswood. The talented musical collective stuff their tunes with elements of afro, funk, soul and jazz and each one makes an indelible mark. This new EP offers two more such gems: first up, 'Baba Ayoola' has silky drumming that would make Tony Allen proud. The lead trumpets and mellifluous chords all make for a rich sonic tapestry that is ripe for dancing. On the flip is 'Carry Me Home' with more big horns and complex drum patterns, as well as some soulful vocal coos to finish it in style.