Since the Columbo Group re-launch of the Jazz Café last month, the iconic venue has been host to a strong run of well-curated events. Saturday the 18th of June was no different.
After the success of their first album ‘Kolaba’, out last September, Afriquoi are now onto their second full release on Wormfood records. The EP is called ‘Abobo Nation Part 1′ and continues to fuse styles from across the African diaspora.
Afriquoi draw from the traditional Congolese rumba and soukous elements, Mandinka griot music, soul and Jamaican dancehall, as well as more modern electronic sounds of jungle, house and garage. They would receive as warm a welcome at a world music festival as they would at Berghain.
The jam-packed Camden venue provided the perfect setting for the launch of the Afro electronic pioneers’ new EP. Their international sound was reflected in the diversity of the crowd. The dancing kicked off immediately as the band opened with their high energy remix of Malian singer and guitarist Vieux Farka Touré’s track ‘Nouhaime Maiga’, nicely setting the tone for the rest of the show.
The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, one got the sense that every person in the building had come to party. The percussive mastery of André Marmot brought in the intro for their 2015 hit ‘Kudaushe’. The long introduction was followed by the looped echo of former Bhundu Boys member Kudaushe Matimba’s marimba and distinct vocals that brought the whole crowd to a sing along. There is something special about this song, the mixture of live percussion and a heavy drum loop infused with uplifting vocals sends tingles down your spine. Understandable, really, why it has become a club staple around the world.
The collective followed with two more songs from their first album. ‘Mokako’ shone a light on the Kora player Jally Kebba Susso and guitarist Fiston Lusambo, who seamlessly added texture and melody to the low register synth sections.
‘Way Out’, whose opening lyrics are “We come to talk about freedom, Yes I know” on top of an unapologetic 2-step bassline, projected a message of unity through dance, which, in this particularly testing global political climate, seemed to resonate around the room.
The band then announced the release of their six track E.P. by playing title track ‘Carnabala’, which features Sheffield based K.O.G. singing the words ‘Omanye Aba’ – let there be happiness over the top of heavy hitting percussion idiophone lines. Judging by the reaction from the crowd the up-tempo track definitely has the makings of a summer dance anthem.
[bandcamp width=700 height=820 album=3079632370 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]Other highlights were the heavily Jungle influenced ‘Shaking up the Garden’ which injected new pace into the live show, as well as ‘Fiston’ with Serocee’s unmistakable vocals on this modern Dancehall/House hybrid, which made for a carnival like workout.
A special mention must go to Andre Espeut whose soulful vocals and showmanship are unrivalled. The only qualm had with the whole show was that it didn’t last longer… Overall it was an incredible and energetic performance, a must see for Dance and World music fans alike.
You can now purchase ‘Abobo Nation Part 1’ from the Wormfood records Bandcamp page. We are eagerly awaiting Part 2!
Photo Credit: Emily Thomas – Low Key Photography