Kotoa are a 5 piece band from Loughborough Junction, South East London, made up of drummer Laurie Campling, bassist Frank Black, keyboard player Sam Hillier, guitarist and vocalist Memphis Koloi & saxophonist and vocalist Maia Avery.
Having signed to Wah Wah 45s last year, 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.
Following on from the success of their acclaimed debut EP, entitled Earthwise, and their popular cover version of Fela Kuti’s Zombie, which received support from Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music and Worldwide FM, this classy young outfit are excited to present their brand new single, Love and Light, the first to be taken from their forthcoming Out of the Dark EP, due for release in August, and once again produced by revered musician and engineer Benedic Lamdin (Nostalgia 77).
Love and Light opens with Sam Hillier’s warm and welcoming piano combining perfectly with Memphis Koloi’s enticing guitar, before Laurie Campling’s Afrobeat flavoured drums and Frank Black’s balmy bass make way for Maia Avery’s willing vocals and soothing sax, sending powerful yet tender messages that are much needed in the modern world, as the vocalist herself explains:“It’s a tune about reconnection, It’s a celebration of being around someone that makes you feel loved and seen. We want people to listen to it and feel gratitude for the people, places or memories that make them feel like this, with the groove getting people to dance and celebrate this feeling.”
Reactions and radio play
Radio play from Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM), Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy (Balearic Breakfast), DJ Ritu (Resonance FM), Reference Point (Totally Wired Radio), Further In Fusion (Radio Corax), Adrian Isaac (Croydon FM)
Featured on the Apple Music Jazz Scene: UK playlist
“Such an exciting band, destined for really big things… There is only one word for that. Marvellous!” Robbie Vincent (Jazz FM)
“I look forward to hearing more from them!” Colleen Cosmo Murphy (Balearic Breakfast)
“Primal feels here.” For Mankind (Pikes, Ibiza)
“Beautiful track.” DJ Ritu (Resonance FM)
“Gorgeous!” Jazzcat (Ness Radio, Italy)
“Amazing!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)
“Warm and tender….lovely!” Cal Gibson (Secret Soul Society, UK)
“This is beautiful music!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“Stunning. Shades of peak Talkin’ Loud era 4 Hero. That is a high as my compliments can go.” Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Supernice.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Liking this one a lot.” Mark GV Taylor (Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“Lovely song!! a pleasure for my ears and heart.” Cesare Cera (Bologna Uno, Italy)
“Strong tune!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany)
“Such a wonderful warm and lush groove. Great vocals too!” Xander Roozen (Royal Groove, The Netherlands)
“Soul relax!” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur3, Switzerland)
“That really is a thing of beauty!” Jamie Renton (Chilli Fried, UK)
“Really nice.” David Clarke (In2beats FM, UK)
“Club/radio/summer ready – beautifully positive.” Gerry Hectic (You and the Music, UK)
