briguy Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 KOKOLO July 1 Pepper Jack's 38 King William St, Hamilton 905.525.6666 http://www.kokoloonline.com History -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the tangled streets of New York comes KOKOLO, a young big band with plenty of punk energy. As the world begins to take notice of the emerging Afro-Latin underground movement surging throughout American cities, KOKOLO - named after a Spanish Harlem slang term used to describe devout aficionados of afro music- are the underground of the underground: a visionary unit with instruments, playing for the right to fight and turn the norm on its ear. In organization, they recall collectives like Crass; in attack, roots rockers like the Pogues and Ozomatli, but with an infectious “Nooyork” slant. They take the stage with an awesome force, bringing music back to the days of mavericks like Fela Kuti and Ruben Blades, when music addressed the unrest endemic to the ’70s. Their music, always danceable, always grooving, has something to say. “The aim of the group,” says singer and founding member Ray Lugo.“Was to fuse the socio-political awareness of punk and the swagger of hip-hop with the musical sophistication of afro-beat, funk, Latin music and beyond…in order to create something new based on our own experiences”. What’s behind KOKOLO’s fire? In a recent interview with the BBC Radio Network, Lugo further expanded on the band’s position - “Evolution. As humans, we need to evolve from the deep ego-nomic, materialistic, spiritual and environmental problems that afflict us. Many so-called ‘revolutions’ have been nothing but 360 degree turns that historically have left us in the same state and often worse, in a classic case of ‘’same wine, different bottle’. “The fair and balanced distribution of information, education, natural resources and economic opportunities among all inhabitants of this planet is the key our collective well-being.” We call for this evolution through our music, because those who know ultimately end up exploiting those who do not”. So what does punk have to do with all this? “Fela was a punk, Marley was a punk and Dylan was a punk…in as much as they expressed sentiments of dissent within the context of their particular musical styles”- “To me, punk was always about not conforming and taking the time to discover the answers for yourself and defining who and what you wanted to be”. “Bringing a problem or injustice to light is commendable… but we seek to spark the dialogue that will ultimately bring about alternatives and solutions to the problems on a macro level.” KOKOLO came together in May 2001, when bands like Antibalas, The Daktaris and others were proving the validity of afro-beat as a true musical alternative in New York. Formed by Lugo and English trombonist Chris Morrow, they initially had a faithful afro-beat sound in mind. The group soon blossomed to eight core members, and within two months became mainstays at New York’s Knitting Factory, a venue known for its support of musical hybrids. Taking a page from Lugo’s days in the Big Apple’s DIY hardcore punk scene, they recorded their raw, urgent debut album "Fuss And Fight" after just a few shows together, under the shadow of the World Trade Center attacks. The music attracted the attention of the Afrokings label, and the album saw its release in 2002. The band was subsequently invited to tour the UK, where receptive audiences were treated to some truly electrifying performances. "More Consideration", their follow-up album, features guest appearances by some of today’s most talented musicians including guitarist Charlie Hunter, drummer Jojo Kuo (Fela Kuti/Manu DiBango), keyboardist Greg Lewis (Chocolate Genius / Sam Newsome), bassist Gabe Roth (Sharon Jones / Antibalas), percussionist Chris Lovejoy (Charlie Hunter /Chopek-Lovejoy) and keyboardist Mike Weitman (Project Logic) among others. Any listener can feel the energy on songs like "Root To The Fruit" and "Democrazy". The music works because the insistent vamps insinuate their way into feet and hips until the urge to move is undeniable. KOKOLO is kaleidoscope of New York City life and cuts a wide cross-cultural swathe that hails the birth of a new universal sound. Today, with a red-hot album and a high-energy live show, KOKOLO is ready to bring it to the world. — Don Brixton Audio Sample: Gimme Ya Ya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esau Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Sounds alright by me,I may not be around for the show though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Sounds like a good time, but I will be wheelin and DEALIN in TO for the first time in a long while...what a nice pre-birthday treat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 On Martin Perna, founder of Antibalas: Martin and I have known each other for many years, and as far back as I could remember, he was tireless in championing Fela’s musical and socio-political legacy to anyone who would listen, years before Antibalas was ever formed. He, along with the many past and present members of Antibalas have worked very very hard and sacrificed much in order to inform this generation to the depth, the funkiness and the social significance of afrobeat music. My respect and support for this goes without saying. It is as a direct result of the awareness and enthusiasm for afrobeat music they’ve generated, that new groups have formed and found labels interested in releasing their records and live show promoters excited to book afrobeat groups. 2004 is going to be great year for afrobeat, as there will be plenty of styles and groups to choose from, whether you love them or hate them. Whomever you choose to support, will be good for everyone as a whole. Let’s continue to build on a beautiful thing: AKOYA : NYC’s powerhouse ensemble’s debut "Introducing The Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble" is out now, so get down to one of their red-hot shows and buy it! www.akoyamusic.com AFRODIZZ : Montreal, Canada’s dons have just returned from touring the UK and are fixing to release their debut full length CD in June so check for them out: http://www.afrodizz.hothost.tv/under.html FEMM NAMELESS : The queens of the game has also just returned from touring the UK and will be releasing their debut this summer: http://www.femmnameless.com CHICAGO AFROBEAT PROJECT : We can’t forget the Midwest finest (what’s up Scotty!)as they go into the studio soon to cut their debut, get the sordid details at: http://www.chicagoafrobeatproject.com AFROBEATDOWN : Los Angeles’ Afrobeat exponents are keeping real busy these days: http://www.afrobeatdown.com BELGIAN AFROBEAT ASSOCIATION : Fela lives… in Antwerp! (in case you never knew) Get their slamming debut CD “The King Is Among Us” from Groove distribution and check: http://baba.be FANGA : France’s afrobeat cats have a new one out “Afrokaliptyk” http://60gp.ovh.net/~afrofang/accueil.html ASIKO : 5-track CD EP is now available http://www.asikomusic.com MASSAK : Frank Biyong’s pioneering group in Paris France. http://massak.free.fr/html/frame.htm APHRODESIA : We can’t forget about San Francisco. Check their debut “Shackrobeat Vol. 1”. http://aphrodesia.org ANTIBALAS : New CD out in June, pure afrobeat coming live to a town near you soon after for sure, so stay on the lookout: http://www.antibalas.com solidarity, Ray Lugo Kokolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooly Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 that audio sample is awesome,,, reallllllly lookin foward to this show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 Four more days until we get hit with one of the funkiest bands to hit Hamilton since Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Yeah, I don't like to use the dap-kings as a reference point but this band needs some serious consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteymuseum Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 kc is on the money about this one. stay in town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted June 28, 2004 Report Share Posted June 28, 2004 If I'm in town, I'm there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberHippie Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 Looks like I'll be able to make it tonight. Really looking forward to seeing Kokolo. See ya'll there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paisley Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 as I can't make it up to Izzy's today I'll definately be giving these guys a run... samples on the site sound great couple of Canada Day beers in the village then off to the show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamilton Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 See yuz there!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 CHEERS to KC for bringing on hell of a treat to PJC. I had to leave early, but the 2 song first set was fantastic. True afrobeat in its finest form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondtube Posted July 2, 2004 Report Share Posted July 2, 2004 had quite the bout of a stomach illness last night... i HOPE its gone for tonight... i'm pissed i missed this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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