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Friday, 9 December 2022

Album review : Kokoroko - Could We Be More

 Good morning/ evening/ afternoon/ grand rising music lovers a.k.a my three readers.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas break and if you're not don't worry, I've got you with this next album, released earlier this year. Please feel free to listen to the album as you read along:


Introducing Kokoroko, a London-based collective consisting of 8 of some of the world's most talented musicians.  When I told my mum about them she was overjoyed as she explained in Ghana "Kokoroko describes the sound of knocking which makes sense when I think of the big part the percussions play in delivering their unique sound.

Some might describe their music as an afro-jazz/ afrobeat fusion similar to the music of the Kuti's, Vieux Diop or Fatoumata Diawara... I'd describe their music as that too, but also just pure vibey.

I have been in love with their music for a while now but annoyingly missed them live and now they're off globetrotting to perform but will defo give a blog update when I eventually do get to see them live in the UK. 

Listening to their album during my walk yesterday was an entire sensory experience. I stepped outside and it was FREEZING, I mean cold cold and as I picked what I would listen to I remember thinking "I need to pick something that makes me feel warm" and this album overdelivered. I could literally see images, short flashes of vibrant orange, green, red and royal blue in front of my eyes during tracks such as 'Ewa Inu' and 'Soul Searching'. These colours are often hand-stitched into traditional Kente cloth which is worn during celebratory ceremonies. My theory - as this has never happened before, the memory part of my brain combined with the music triggered a response of jubilation.

 I felt as if the warmth of a golden African sun was beaming on my face and chest, even in the biting -6 degrees, such was authenticity of their sound throughout the album. The traditional 3-beat count was ever-present in the album. The same count which is a bed for so many old-school Highlife, Afrobeat songs and church anthems back in the day. 'We Give Thanks' made me miss home even though I've only been to Ghana once, it made me miss my grandparents although I never met them, I felt such a strong and heartfelt connection to my homeland, a pride in my people and love for my culture. Even the slower tempo tracks such as 'Reprise' and 'Home' make you consider for a moment your roots. 

This album is sensational. Filled with moments made for laughter, dancing, jubilating, tears and deep thought. It's got a strong sense of drama (e.g.War Dance), it's got flair, it's got rhythm and it's got eight geniuses who are more than a gift. They don't even deserve to be placed under a tree, rather they're the stars, right on top and I'm excited to see more and more from them as they travel the world making art.

Merry Christmas y'all. I hope you enjoyed this one, from the bottom of my heart I appreciate everyone that reads this. Until 2023, 

Love. M


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