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KO-TA

Fatoumata Diawara

London Ko

    2023 marks the big comeback of Fatoumata Diawara.

    After LAMOMALI (the afro-pop project of -M- awarded a Victoire de la Musique (French Grammy equivalent) and a double platinum album), her solo album FENFO (nominated for the Grammy Awards and the Victoires de la Musique) and successful international collaborations (Gorillaz, Disclosure…), one of Africa's greatest voices presents LONDON KO. Distinguished guests (-M-, Angie Stone, Roberto Fonseca, Yemi Alade, Ghanaian rapper M.anifest) and 6 tracks co-produced with Damon Albarn: a perfect combination between synthetic sounds and traditional Malian rhythms; a dive into an eclectic and an absolut avant-garde universe. Bamako versus London, London Ko, a story to follow and share!


    TRACK LISTING

    1. Nsera
    2. Somaw
    3.Sete
    4. Seguen
    5. Massa Den
    6. Mogokan
    7. Blues
    8. Moussoya
    9. Netara
    10.Yada
    11. Tolon
    12. Dambe
    13. Dakan
    14. Maya

    Helsinki quartet OK:KO releases their third album "Liesu" with We Jazz Records on 15 April. The band, led by drummer/composer Okko Saastamoinen and including saxophonist Jarno Tikka, pianist Toomas Keski-Säntti and bassist Mikael Saastamoinen (of Superpostion & Linda Fredriksson "Juniper") is a scene favourite in Finland and has recently garnered some international attention with their melodic, dynamic and original approach. The OK:KO sound is adventurous yet accessible, and contemporary yet rooted in the lineage of acoustic small group jazz.

    When listening to OK:KO, you can feel that their influences also come from out of the musical realm. After all, isn't this just how it should be? Making music from your own life. Here, you can tell that the landscape of rural Finland, its poetic, at times even melancholy beauty, is ever present. It's folk song country. But don't be fooled, these guys form a real flesh and blood jazz band. That means that the music just starts when the first note hits, and onwards from there, we're in for a wild ride.

    Whether punchy like on "Anima", solemn like on "Arvo", or just trekking out there a skiing lane of their own like on "Vanhatie", what you'll get is pure OK:KO. Melodic, interactive, honest and forward-reaching contemporary jazz music. That is something we appreciate – a lot!

    Vinyl editions available on opaque white / black vinyl, with inside-out 3mm spine sleeve and a polylined black inner sleeve.

    TRACK LISTING

    1. Anima
    2. Rieju
    3. Kirkkis
    4. Arvo
    5. Vanhatie
    6. Yösalmi

    Various Artists

    Music For KO

      There are very few artists that could compete with the Erased Tapes roster when it comes to throught provoking, modern classical music in the 21st century, and this latest four-track compilation sees them pulling together some of the most effective and beautful pieces from any of their respective catalogues. 

      We kick things off with the static music-concrete stillness of 'Fernweh' by Hatis Noit. Slowly pulled synth swells and abstracted twinkling bells are joined by the odd hit of percussion, focusing the disparate organic strands into something cohesive and anchored. It swims with the spirit of Japanese ambient music, but with a little more elctronic interruption and crackling glitched stereo sweeps. 

      Masayoshi fujita follows things up with 'Led By A Blue Bird Into The Mountain', drawing melody out of snapping woody hits and organic animalistic wails.There are moments of stillness, but the main refrain here is wrought out of these moments of incidental percussion and the syncopation of a number of elements, crafting melody through reptition. 

      Ryan Lee West has always been one of my favourites and sees him here in superb form, abstracting melodies and rhythms with a mix of the vigour of his early years ('Howl' was a particular favourite of mine, and you can still hear the echoes of it here) and the more arty, stretched-out post-club haze. 

      This is all before the stunning closer from Daniel Thorne 'Outline Of A Distant Memory' which sees a fractured, world ending static a-la Hecker meet headfirst  with shadowy strings and what could easily be described as a sort of  'train coming out of the fog' rhythmic foundation. It's a wonderful end to a superb compilation, and more evidence (if any were needed) that Erased Tapes are *still* one of the greatest labels around. 

      STAFF COMMENTS

      Barry says: A stunning collection of off-piste ambience and drones from some of the greatest artists working in the avant-garde field today, for one of the greatest labels presenting it. Thoroughly brilliant.

      TRACK LISTING

      1. Fernweh - Hatis Noit
      2. Led By A Blue Bird Into The Mountain - Masayoshi Fujita
      3. Under Waves, Ascending - Rival Consoles
      4. Outline Of A Distant Memory - Daniel Thorne

      Ko-Ta

      Shiza EP - Inc. Don't DJ / DJ Nobu Remix

      For the tenth release, Ko-ta joins DJ Nobu's Bitta label. The legendary Japanese producer, known for his releases on Stratosphere Records where he showed a unique take on tribal and off-beat techno tools, now returns with two fresh and fast paced rhythm work outs. After blown away by a tune he heard in a friend's Instagram Stories, Nobu asked the friend about the track which turned out to be a work of Ko-ta's. Nobu immediately suggested Ko-ta to release his material on Bitta, and the result is this outstanding and singular EP for which Ko-ta contributed two amazing originals. Remixed by Don't DJ who flips 'Shiya' into an energetic stripped down drum and bass swinger and DJ Nobu who re-works 'Shiza' with his powerful broken techno touch.

      STAFF COMMENTS

      Matt says: Conjuring a cauldron of bass, rhythm and shamanic energy, two far out cats cast spells onto Ko-Ta's "Shiya".

      TRACK LISTING

      A1. Shiya
      A2. Shiya (Dont DJ Remix)
      B1. Shiza
      B2. Shiza (DJ Nobu Remix)

      Manitoba

      Hendrix With KO

        As with other Manitoba tracks, this wonderful song straddles the worlds of cutting edge electronica and dreamy pop-psychedelia with consumate ease. Also includes two brand new tracks from the "Up In Flames" sessions - "Cherrybomb" and "Silver Splinters".


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