LÉA MONDO / RISING WOMAN EP

Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the debut EP from a very special new artist, Léa Mondo, entitled Rising Woman.

Hailing originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by way of Manchester, and now settled in North London, this young singer-songwriter and guitarist enjoys a plethora of eclectic influences. Léa’s musical output is a smorgasbord of experimental styles fusing aspects of soul, high life, bossa-nova, jazz and reggae. Drawing inspiration from reggae icon Bob Marley, and Malian artists such as Fatoumata Diawara and Rokia Traorè, as well as Nigerian born UK soul superstar Sade, her music largely talks about life, love, peace and freedom while reflecting on the state of the world.

The EP is made up of a collection of songs Léa wrote between 2018 and 2023. Thematically it’s about rising from the ashes after being burnt by the trials and tribulations of life, shedding away the overgrown skin and living in your truth. The EP takes the listener on a genre bending musical journey of experiences Léa had endured from her discovery of spirituality, through to politics, mental health and self love. She questions herself, the world and political norms whilst still finding peace within the duality of life. This is Lea’s first extended musical offering to the industry, made up of songs that have played a pivotal role in making her the woman she has become.

The Rising Woman EP is bookended by the song Mwasi / Kitoko, split into two parts and which translates to Beautiful / Woman. Lea explains more:

“In this two part track, I chant in my native Congolese language Lingala whilst gazing at and admiring a Congolese woman with her natural hair and her traditional clothes waltzing down the street, free and just being herself. The inspiration came from Getz Gilberto’s The Girl From Ipanema. I also wanted to write a song that put black women in a positive light as I feel that society has normalised viewing black women through a derogatory lens, not allowing us to just exist in all of our facets. This song is also me speaking to my inner child and letting her know that she’s beautiful just the way she is and that she doesn’t have to conform to European beauty standards to fit in.”

Lea’s debut single, Heights Of Love, is a song about unrequited affection that focuses on Léa reflecting on a past situation-ship. The song is a fusion of soul, jazz and bossa nova influences. The singer’s heartfelt lyrics explore the vulnerable state that one feels while going through rejection, making it a relatable, but at the same time an instantly catchy love song.

Follow up single, Vices, focuses on Lea’s personal struggles. Her lyrics explore the highs and lows of addictions and her history of poor relationship choices. Drawing influences from Red Hot Chilli Peppers (Californication) drums and arrangements, the melody of the tune is curated in a way to take the listener on a journey that leads to a climax to convey the feeling one feels when they’re coming up, to eventual peak.

Similarly, the third single to be released from the EP, entitled Nah Mate, is a song about warding off negative energy from people and situations that aren’t serving your life. It’s about not dimming your light for anyone and learning to confront issues head on, communicating in a healthy, positive way. The idea for the track came from Léa’s love of Y2K R&B, soul and pop from artists such as Lauryn Hill, TLC, Blaque and Aaliyah. The track features vocalist Tiece who brings a neo-soulful, electric blues edge to the proceedings.

Finally, the previously unreleased song, Brave New World, takes its inspiration from Aldous Huxley’s book of the same name. It’s a song about the dangers and pitfalls of consumer culture. Léa sings once again in her mother tongue – this in fact being the first song she ever wrote in her native language.

Reactions and Radio Play

Played by Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM, UK), Don Letts (BBC 6 Music, UK), Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK), Balamii Radio, Voices Radio, Ras Danny (KBOO 90.7FM, USA), Jazz FM (UK), Soho Radio (UK), John Warr (Totally Radio, UK), KEXP 90.3FM (USA), WHCR 90.3FM (USA), Karl Philips (Source 96.1 FM, UK)

Featured by The Offie Mag https://offlicencemagazine.com/blog/lea-mondo-s-debut-rising-woman

Featured by Roadie https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqWbTk0JGX3QsaRvvQ1US

“Absolutely brilliant!” Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM)

“Lovely vibes.” Thristian bpm (Global Roots, Rinse FM, UK)

“It’s a beauty!” Juergen Jazzanova (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)

“Wonderful ! Ye !” DJ Soulist (Souleance, France)

“So lovely to have the complete EP – been following Lea for some time – ever since my friend Vern – Offbeat Steppa gave her her first radio session at Threads Radio a while back. Lovely original music with all its roots and shoots to listen to and enjoy. Female music for our times too. Nice to see it well supported.” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)

“Cool tracks!” DJ Angola (Wonderwheel, USA)

“She has a very distinctive voice which I love. Mwasi is the track that captures me and will be playing it.” John Warr (Totally Radio, UK)

“Good stuff.” Jamal Ahmad (Jazz 91.9FM, USA)

“Beautifully produced and wonderful vocals.” DJ Expression (What’s Hot Radio, UK)

“Superbe album, particular voice.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)

“Lovely album! Will definitely get some radio play.” Jason Palma (Footprints, Canada)

“Lovely. You already know I’m a fan. I’ve been playing Vices on my KEXP radio shows, and I’m excited to expand that focus with these new cuts.” DJ Kid Hops (KEXP 90.3FM, USA)

“Beautiful.” Markus Tone (Beatkollektiv, Germany)

“Lovely vibes.” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)

“This is gorgeous music…” Dobromir Marzov (Radio Varna, Bulgaria)

“Cool album – my favorite is Kitoko :)” Rolf Aeschimann (Red Cat Radio, Switzerland)

“Soulful blues with lots of heart.” Adrea Rheaume (Vancouver, Canada)

“Heights of LOVE!” Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Radio Show, Ukraine)

“jAYZZY SUPERBE MéLODIES !!!” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)

“Nice music!!” Tom Strauch (Switchstance Recordings, Germany)

“So much beauty, depth and emotion.” DJ Mr Lob (Melbourne, Australia)

“Love it! Amazing blends! Full support!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Podcasts, Spain)

“Amazing voice and great songwriting.” Chris Greenwood (Mi-Soul Radio, UK)

“All in all a nice release..” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)

“Great album!” Ivan Mera (Higher Club, Spain)

“Cool ones.”Tjerk Coers (Armada Music, Netherlands)

“New new and then some new just what my ears desire.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)

“Full support for this 👍🏿” Michael Stukes (WHCR 90.3FM, USA)

“Oooo ive been waiting for this.. big fan.. sounding lovely.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B-Boy, UK)

“Nice.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)

“Will be playing on my “Random Jukebox” show.” Karl Philips (Source 96.1 FM, UK)

“Nice one!” Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)

“Quality album wid such a great vocalist!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany)

“Some really real music from a real artist. Will definitely keep my ears open for her.” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)

“Wonderful.” Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves, UK)

“Beautiful.” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit Club, Slovakia)

“Wah Wah 45s have got a way of being Wah Wah 45s and brilliant all at the same time and they’ve found another rising star, this time it’s a ‘Rising Woman’, Léa Mondo.

“I’ve already said quite a bit about Léa Mondo since we started receiving her music. This set expands the music we’ve heard with a further three tunes and I’m already loving atmospheric Mwasi, the opener. The almost lamenting Brave New World has a rounded warm feel with jazzy chords & accents and on Kiloko, with its lazy rhythm and drifting flute/guitar the set meanders to a fitting close.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)

“Lovely voice, really strong tracks. Brilliant work all x” Steve KIW (Various, UK)

“Nice!” Cal Gibson (Various, UK)

“This is so “Gilles Peterson”, a DJ/record label boss/etc known to be ahead of the game and not slow to feature new stars.

This new 6 track EP does reminds me of when Peterson first featured Amy Winehouse in a way as the DRC born/Manchester raised/now North London resident Ms Mondo has a beautiful voice, charm and sass in equal messure plus a great band behind her. The two sides of the Amy influence can be heard on ‘Heights Of Love’ and ‘Vices’ with a Body Positive/Social Media “update” on ‘Nah Mate’ that features Tiece.

The EP opens and closes with ‘Mwasi’/’Kitoko’ – translates as ‘Beautiful’/’Woman’ which has a fantastic flute and guitar and is inspired by the vision of a Congolese ‘The Girl From Ipanema’; with just a touch of Lonnie Liston Smith.

And in another sense of duality, her inspiration for ‘Brave New World’ is the Aldous Huxley ‘A Level’ classic of the same name that she sings mostly in her native Congolese language Lingala.

If you like harder, sultry Sade on a jazzy, Afro-bossa tip, Léa Mondo is the next emergent talent to follow and you can catch her live at the EP launch on Friday, 24th May at 91 Living Room, East London.

Happy Birthday Wah Wah 45s too!” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)