Mosi Conde
London, England, United Kingdom | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
Music
Press
Kaira Kora Afrika
Mosi Conde's debut album Kaira Kora Afrika, with his band of the same name, was released in 2010 in the UK. A griot (an oral historian, educator, musician and story teller found in many West African traditions) from Guinea Conakry, Conde is now based in London and has in the past already performed for Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton, as well as at major festivals including WOMAD.
Kaira Kora Afrika is best described as strongly rooted in traditional West African music, informed by contemporary world music. From its first bar onwards already, this album is a complete delight. The musicianship and virtuosity of all the musicians is of the highest calibre throughout, and Conde's kora and balafon in particular are a dream. Vocalist Saba Tewelde also needs particular singling out for excellence, as does flautist Baba Galle Kante.
If you're looking for West African music informed by world music, yet preserving authenticity, look no further. Kaira Kora Afrika is the real deal. Mosi Conde is without doubt the finest and most exciting West African musician it has been my pleasure to hear in a long time.
From irresistible grooves to more reflective, ballad-like numbers, Kaira Kora Afrika has it all. At just over 39 minutes, this album may seem a little short on playing time, but it more than makes up for this in the sheer quality of the music. This even makes you completely overlook the (only marginally) less than perfect recording quality.
The exuberance of this music is catching, and its honest-to-goodness sincerity impressive and touching. Kaira Kora Afrika is utterly enchanting and charming, fresh and refreshing, and the blend of the traditional with the contemporary feels natural, organic, unforced and free of pretense and pretentiousness. Conde's brand of music doesn't try to be something, it simply is, like all truly great music.
It would be hard to imagine a more consistent album than this. Rather than merely compelling, Kaira Kora Afrika is utterly mesmerising and spellbinding, totally infectious. I could happily listen to this music for days on end, and it's destined to be a firm favourite here for a very long time to come.
If there is one point of criticism, it is the sleeve notes. The odd fonts and largely too small print make these difficult to read.
Although it will hardly need pointing out, Mosi Conde's Kaira Kora Afrika is way past essential in any good world music collection, not just specifically of African or West African music. It is only to be hoped that it will receive the much wider distribution it so richly deserves and needs. And furthermore, that we'll see another album from Mosi Conde & Kaira Kora Afrika soon! In the meantime, try and catch these fabulous musicians live. - Rainlore's world of music
Discography
Kaira Kora Afrika mc music (on Itunes, 7 Digital and related platforms as well)
Contributions to CDs by Soothsayers, Dan Raza, Zubop Gambia, Poppy Seed; Pendragon Recordings
Music played on BBC R3, BBC London, Colourful, and a host of regional and international stations including Ear to the Globe in Dublin City FM
Photos
Bio
Steeped in tradition
with global sonic awareness.
“SPECTACULAR JAWDROPPING PERFORMANCE” DJ RITU “ Extraordinary unforgettable night” Frome Festival “Mighty release, a pleasure to listen to” Russ Jones Hackney GlobeTrotter MOSI CONDE solo/ with band Kaira Kora Afrika creates music that excites & delights, virtuoso skill evident thru-out. “We griots are born in music, every family plays together. Music is our life”. Celebration of his griot heritage shines thru. Debut ‘Kaira Kora Afrika’ secured glowing reviews & Radio 3 + BBC World Service airplay & worldwide TV. A great communicator sharing deep awareness of beloved Guinea & strong affinity for London thru fab compositions & performances. Played solo at WOMAD, for Nelson Mandela & Bill Clinton + Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall (with Uncle Mory Kante), QEH, major festivals. Prestigious WOM@TT Best of British award. Highly respected in stunning collaborations inc Africa Express In C Mali, PRSF New Music Bienalle, Coltrane A Love Supreme Re-envisioned, In Place of War & recently #This is my Song# Nubian Jak single to launch memorial to African & Caribbean soldiers in 1914-18 world war in Brixton One of UK's finest musicians playing astounding range of instruments. Creative sparkling Kora & lightening force intuitive Djembe + Bolon Bata, in his expert hands more than equals major doublebass, Donso Ngoni Kamelon Ngoni , Balafon (vibrant as any Vibes) Guitar, Gongoma, traditional percussion + mellifluous vocals. Living contemporary archive! Djeli Deni from Guinea Conakry’s leading family: Sekouba ‘Diamond Fingers’ Diabate & Mory Kante his uncles, Sona Diabate founder of Les Amazones de Guineé his aunt; his family are the inspiration for friends Salif Keita, Alpha Blondy. Mosi Conde performed with + arranged music for globally renowned relatives Ami Koita & Sekouba Bambino at their London Festival concerts. Mosi learnt the instruments he is master of as a very young child serving apprenticeship before touring with his family’s popular band at 15, & taking ceremonies Tremendous 2015 saw Mosi Conde Kaira Kora Afrika big band storm Brixton’s hugely popular Hootananny & go megaviral sizzling socialmedia platforms, wow everyone on Cultural Co-operation/A World in London with DJ Ritu on Resonance FM & QEH. His incandescent vocals, kora & ngoni improvisations with ambient fusionists Newenderthal set high bar at Between the Notes Festival, Played Frome, Small World, The Streets, Africa Day, Green Note, LAMF ++ Fellow Outerglobe.co.uk artist guitarist/singer Caroline Trettine invited Mosi to join her new trio Koral Society to explore both her material & new aural vistas for their joint talents. Album in progress. 2014 year of expansion for Mosi Conde Kaira Kora Afrika: virtuoso solo & band skills at evening devoted to his music @ Green Note. Outstanding contribution to jazz re:freshed’s New Music Biennale PRSF commission of Akwasi Mensah’s music interpreting Bunny Bread’s original film, building on impressive track record. At Official VIP Opening of Black Cultural Archives & featured live on BBC news bulletins all day. Advocated for Balafon as world heritage instrument on BBC World Service, represented Guinea for Cultural Olympiad ‘World in London’ photography commission, prestigious WOM@ TT Best of British award.Joined “Voices of the Revolution – In Place of War” + musicians flying from several conflict zones & UK musicians inc Sandie Shaw, Jon McClure (Reverend & the Makers), Beating Wing + Renegade Brass Band- wideranging tour inc Shambala. He played Secret Garden
Fab concert with Mali’s most respected Djeli MoussoAmi Koita at Kings Place, London, LIFEM . Played prestigious Black History Month presentation @ House of Commons. As one of the internationally invited musicians performing Africa Express’s Terry Riley’s in C Mali he features strongly in the film recorded @ Tate Modern on thespace.org. Delighted with two London African Music Festival performances solo & with Sekouba Bambino his cousin; at Greenwich Tall Ships Festival ++
New album is awaited with huge excitement for 2016
Band Members
Links
