Kokoroko

(UK)

Kokoroko’s ‘Abusey Junction’ currently has 27 million YouTube views (and counting) and, since March, we’ve been able to enjoy their studio work on vinyl too. Kokoroko, which means ‘be strong’ in the Nigerian language of Orobo, is led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey. The band cut their teeth in the clubs of London playing the West African styles of Afrobeat and Highlife, and are now a firmly established favourite on the rising jazz-groove scene. The mighty Fela Kuti remains the strongest influence on the youth of musical London – something that connects this band with its predecessors as well as with some of Druga Godba’s very first acts.

Sheila Maurice Grey, trumpet, vocals; Cassie Kinoshi, sax, vocals; Richie Seiv Wright, trombone, vocals; Mutale Chashi, bass; Oscar Jerome, keyboards; Yohan Kebede, keyboards; Onome Ighamre, percussion; Ayo Salawu, drums

“Kokoroko is, at once, beyond tightly wound but also relaxed to the point of aloof; like all great Afrobeat ensembles, it is a vibrating organism.” AFROPUNK