Out November 15th via Mawimbi Records
London Oslo Hackney show on 6th December: http://oslohackney.com/events/live-afriquoi/
Afriquoi return with a powerful full band sound, closer than ever before to the live sound that has seen them exhilirate crowds worldwide, from Glastonbury West Holts to Dimensions, WOMAD to Boomtown.
Recorded at Octagon Studios in Brixton, engineered by Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist/Onipa) and mastered at the world-famous Metropolis Studios, the song is a powerful mix of mandinka musical patterns and UK house music, alternating uplifting vocal verses and punchy, djembé-fed four-on-the-floor grooves. The song warns of what happens when one person stands apart from the group. Sung in the Mandinka language of Gambia and Southern Senegal, the chorus means:
Kulu Baliya Mabeteya – It is not good to be rude
Mali Baliya Mabeteya – It’s not good to be face-ty (shameless)
Kora player Jally Kebba Susso explains: “what the words are saying, it’s saying that somebody have to be very careful of your action. For me, it’s telling me that karma is a bitch!! If you are rude, before you find out, you are lonely. It’s about connection of reality and not wish-wash wish-wash. Everybody get what they are supposed to get.”
Singer Andre Espeut adds: “The lyrics ‘Find out and learn find out and learn lonely’ talks about how you can go through and learn from experience, but sometimes when you do things which can be bad/harmful/fiesty to others, you may end up being lonely so beware.”
This is the first track of a 4 track EP on Mawimbi Records due for release in January 2020.
KEY WORDS:
African, electronic, house, mandinka, senegal, bass, fusion, London.
ABOUT THE BAND
Afriquoi have created a unique name for themselves as pioneers of live African dance music, fusing Congolese guitar + Gambian kora virtuosity with UK electronic sensibilities to create uplifting, dancefloor- friendly new music for a new generation of music fans.
Based in London, Afriquoi is a UK afro supergroup, with every musician a band leader in their own righ, ranging in age across 3 decades. Originating from Africa, the Carribean and the UK, Afriquoi is true fusion music in the best sense of the word, bringing together a vast depth of musical knowledge, culture and life experience.
Formed in 2011 out of London’s cultural melting pot, they have established a cult global fanbase, loved by fans both of African and electronic music. Their afro house classic ‘Kudaushe’ has become an established favourite in clubs all over the world, and they have toured all over Europe, with huge crowds singing along to their songs on major stages at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Dimensions, Fusion, Boomtown, Shambala, Bestival, Secret Garden Party and the London 2012 Olympics.
The debut album ‘Kolaba’ was released on 11th September 2015 on Wormfood Records, followed up by ‘Abobo Nation Part 1‘ in May 2016 and ‘Starship/Can I Know You‘ (featuring acclaimed jazz saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and Ghanaian drumming troupe Kakatsitsi) in May 2017. In 2019, the band also collaborated with Dark Sky on the track ‘Cold Harbour’, which got featured on Bonobo’s DJ Kicks.
In 2020, the band will release a new EP, featuring the single ‘Acid Attack’, produced by Tom Excell (ONIPA, Nubiyan Twist, Obongjayar) on Paris-based record label Mawimbi Records.