Kotoa are a 5 piece band from Loughborough Junction, South East London, made up of drummer Laurie Campling, bass player Frank Black, keyboard player Sam Hillier, guitarist and vocalist Memphis Koloi & saxophonist and vocalist Maia Avery.
Having recently signed to Wah Wah 45s and with a forthcoming EP in the making, Kotoa bring a refreshing sound, blending political rhetoric, soulful melodies & heavy bass lines. Deeply influenced by dub, triphop & the recent rise of african inspired jazz, Kotoa are a rising force in Brixton’s historic music scene and with their debut EP, Earthwise, in the works, the best is yet to come.
Higher Being is the first taster of that forthcoming EP. It’s a song that invites the audience to let loose, unlocking their inner conscience and allowing themselves to flow freely through the music.
Maia explains more: “It has been inspired by songs that too have really connected us to the deeper meaning of music – the one form of communication that every human can enjoy and share together despite differences in backgrounds. It’s a song that aims to unite people in a mutual love for the groove. The simple chant also gives everyone access to join in and feel included with the music.”
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music), Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired radio), Slow Life Sound System (2SER Radio, Australia), Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany), Mark Ward (Sydney Radio, Australia)
Featured on the Apple Music Worldwide Groove playlist
“Great stuff!” Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music)
“Really gorgeous record!! Enjoying immensely. Big love for this. Keeping a close eye on these guys!”” Tina Edwards (Worldwide FM)
“Afro Jazz Yo!” Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM)
“Sounding good.” Rob Luis (Tru Thoughts, UK)
“Dope!” Delfonic (BBE/GAMM, Germany)
“Cool track!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)
“Sounding mega.” Tom Whalley (Producer, The Huey Show, BBC 6 Music)
“Sunny and bright .. Yes!” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)
“Perfect to start a party!” DJ Nodus (Paris)
“Lovely soulful groove.” Lady Jane Bongo (Mr Bongo, UK)
“Wow what a song, what a band.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
Pure vibes here!” DJ Kobayashi (Batov Records / Soho Radio, UK)
“Extremly cool and groovy release. Some serious afrobeat grooves with suitable vocals. Reminds me a bit of Fela Kuti Grooves. Great!” Rolf Aeschimann (Open Broadcast, Switzerland)
“Loving it! Full support.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“YESSSSIRRRRRRR!” Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3FM, USA)
“Excellent.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Afrobeat new generation.” Jean-Marc Baehler (Radio Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Lovely tune!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“Nice funky Afro vybes .. wicked for radio and the bars!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Nice tune!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Yeah, keep ’em coming – interested to hear what these guys get up to. Liking this a lot. In the bag.” Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Solid!!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 95.9FM, Germany)
“Just loving this, my feet say ,LIKE.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio,UK)
“Timeless, energetic, sunshine music.” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)
“Beautiful groove and arrangement.” Cesare Cera (Bologna Uno, Italy)
“On playlist Diggers Radio.” Diggers Radio (France)
“LOVE this!” Oli Brunetti (Colectivo Futuro / Soho Radio, UK)
“Soulful, dubby and lovely.” Amrisha Singh (Voices Radio, UK)
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen. It is a sound I like dearly Afro drums.” Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“Great.” Skevitz (Radio Campus Lille, France)
“Nice one.” Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, The Netherlands)
“Love it! Amazing afro grooves!” Enrique Domenech (CKUT 90.3FM, Canada)
“Funky!” Martijn Barkhuis (Jazz de Ville, The Netherlands)
“Nice full sound, definitely playing this one out.” Phil Gray (KPSU, USA)
“This is lovely, love the pads which come in halfway through. Thanks!” Paddy Disco Shed (Disco Shed, UK)
“So great!!” Mark Ward (Sideways Through Sound, UK)
“Nice dubby vibes!” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)
“Another wonder from your catalogue. Smooth, conscious and perfect production once more. I’ll put the radio edit on rotation. Keep on sending those jewels, we make good use out of them.” Laurent (la Grosse Tambouille, France)
“Awesome, love the brass on this super! and the dub echos are cool. Lovely stuff. Thanks for the release.” DJ Nelito (Power FM, The Nethrlands)
“Nice one!” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit, Bratislava)
“This is very good. #playlisted.” DJ Osrich (RTR FM, Australia)
“Splendid.” Chris Greenwood (Louie Louie, UK)
“Brilliant groovy stuff.” Jim McMaster (TNGC Radio, UK)
“Energy, groove and spirit in abundance. One of my tunes of the year, for sure.” Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Etheric blessed Africa.” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)
“Joyful and mesmerizing music with deeply enthralling rhythms, definitely a solid recommendation!” DJ6 (Various, UK)
“Big up the rising stars.. great tune and grooves.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B-Boy, UK)
“Tasty!” Cal Gibson (Secret Soul Society, UK)
“Instrumentally tight and funky – very good.” DJ Nigel Wood (Various, UK)
“I fondly remember the Loughborough pub/venue where I frequently visited (and played one time) for the legendary Mambo Inn sessions back in the 1990s. Loving this tune with its potent Afrobeat rhythms driving an attractive tune, looking forward to hearing more from this inspired crew.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)
“Keeping the momentum going from the recent Fela tribute – a great take on Afrobeat to match Soothsayers’ spirit.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
