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Konkolo Orchestra is a Zurich/Switzerland based project initiated by multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Alexis Malefakis. With strong jazzy afrobeat and highlife references, Konkolo Orchestra pays homage to musical innovators such as Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Tony Oladipo Allen, Ebo Taylor and many more. This first album continues the warm, vibrant, percussive motif of the hugely popular 'Blue G.' single of 2022. For those who like their music to inspire journey and movement, this album is the equivalent of gatecrashing a wedding party where even granny can get her groove on. Malefakis is hardly rewriting the afrobeat textbook here, but his production charms the listener with a confident mastery of the genre. His compositions have a distinct personality and a tight structure, and are peppered with a talented array of guest vocalists: Nongoma (South Africa), Sir Frank Karikari (Ghana) and Kitio Batola (Congo); alongside Eric Owusu (Ghana) on percussion. The uplifting lyrics and joyful melodies are held together by a powerhouse horn section bearing all the swinging hallmarks of a highlife fanfare. Hard to define the standout tracks when the entire oeuvre gels together so well as a festive fusion. But worth mentioning, 'Yese Yese', featuring the shrill, enticing vocals of Sir Frank Karikari (son of Ralph Karikari, legendary highlife bass player), a track that slows down the pace leaving room for the horns and voice to deepen the groove. Similarly, 'Future Pasts', a seemingly modest call to personal realization, soon has you caught in swirling rhythms and a deceptively hypnotic groove. Deeply funky and syncopated, Malefakis has produced a motivational winter warmer for both feet and spirit. Tracklisting: A1. Blue G. (feat. Nongoma) (8:12) A2. Future Pasts (feat. Nongoma) (6:50) A3. Yese Yese (feat. Sir Frank Karikari) (5:39) A4. That Good Thing (5:28) B1. Count Your Blessings (feat. Nongoma) (8:16) B2. Cover up the Bruises (feat. Nongoma) (6:26) B3. Le Secret (feat. Kitio Batola) (5:52) B4. All You Want to Be (6:36)
Konkolo Orchestra