Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the second single on the label from a very special new artist, Léa Mondo.
Hailing originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by way of Wigan, 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.
Vices is a song about Lea’s personal struggles. The singer’s lyrics explore the highs and lows of personal 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.
Léa and her band recorded the song live at That Sound Studio, Tottenham with producer Louis Auneau and engineer Bar Huss. The band consists of Jasmine Burton (Bass), Alex Karakurt (Drums), Tawanda Manika (Guitar), Olivia Cuttill (Trumpet), Max Rodriguez (Rhythm Guitar) and Léa herself providing lyrics, vocals, guitar, arrangements and co-producing the track.
Since 2021, Léa has been somewhat prolific on the London live music scene, co-founding famed female & non-binary improv session Peng Femme Jam, and sharing stages with our very own Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi and Afla Sackey’s Afrik Bawantu project.
Reactions & Radio Play
Radio play from Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Village Cuts (Soho Radio), Dom Servini (Jazz FM)
Playlisted by The Slow Music Movement https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4wk7dioRdq3jLQdRr6yAad
Playlisted by The Pit London https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LS01TJe0TZzaOC80p0k8C
Playlisted by Groovin Modd: https://groovinmood.com.br/2024/02/08/diamond-sounds-23-nosso-radar-semanal-de-outros-sons-incriveis/
“Ooh this is gorge! A beautiful tune.” Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music, UK)
“Great flows.” Thristian Bpm (Global Roots, Rinse FM, UK)
“Wonderful!!” DJ Soulist (Souleance, Paris, France)
“Wonderful sounds and moods.” Kei Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)
“I’ve been looking forward to the next track – I love the structure of the song with a bold hook introduced straight away . It’s lovely that Lea decided to take an internship with Wah Wah 45s to find out more about the workings of the industry and then found herself signed. Beautiful arrangement allowing the instruments to all speak, with a doff of a riff to Lea’s Congolese roots and yes, the drum pattern is singular! Airplay in next edition of The Outerglobe fassure.” Debbie Golt (Resonance 104.4FM / Threads Radio, UK)
“Really a nice tune!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z 95.8FM, Germany)
“It’s a beauty.” Village Cuts (Soho Radio, UK)
“What a nice tune. Love Lea vocals on this one, that detuned element is really beautiful.” Nuno di Rosso (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“Cool !” Seb Krimi (Radio Krimi, France)
“Interesting vocals ..unique style ..nice groove!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)
“Great voice with particular grain.” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi / Mosaique FM, France)
“Wah Wah keeps coming on strong in 2024. Uplifting tune with the unique vibrating voice of Léa Mondo, nice one!” DJ Keyser (Tilos Radio, Hungary)
“Lovely!!” DJ Makala (Global Funk, Spain)
“Stellar talent – rock solid support from me.” Lee Bright (Tangential Music, UK)
“Superbe voix.” Jean Marc Baehler (Couleur 3, Switzerland)
“Wonderful. Great listen!” Kengo Oshima (Cuban Brothers, 4-to-the-Floor, Soho Radio, UK)
“Killler!!! Ticking all the boxes!” Oli Brunetti (Colectivo Futuro, UK)
“A good attitude. So personal, nice.” Cesare Cera (Bologna Uno, Italy)
“I love her, will play it in my radio show.” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit Club, Slovakia)
“Love the groove!” Mia Lee Laine (Various, UK)
“Nice, something different.” Robert Lochmann (Radio X, Germany)
“Amazing, thanks!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform, Spain)
“Fantastic track, love this artist.” Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves, UK)
“Nice one!” Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“Such a great voice!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax 94.9FM, Germany)
“Lovely. Thank you!” Kid Hops (KEXP 90.3FM, Seattle, USA)
“Nice, great start to ’24.” Steve KIW (Balearic Assassins, UK)
“Definitely a grower.. the more you dig in better it gets.” DJ Abbo (Stomp Radio, UK)
“Beautiful song.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“Soul stuff.” Jim McMaster (TNGC Radio, UK)
“My ji ji droppin classics..” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)
“Coool.” Tjerk Coeurs (Armada Music, Netherlands)
“Makes my day.” Rene Josquin (Format Analog, Germany)
“This is different, so we like it!” DJ Breakplus (Mythstery, Switzerland)
“Beautiful.” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“On air a must!” Olgierd (Sofa Surfing, Poland)
“Nice one!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“This is a real beauty!” Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe, UK)
“Yoooo!” Federica (Miss In Red, Italy)
“Great – will play.” DJ Lamp (Coalition, UK)
“Everything I’ve heard from Léa Mondo has been excellent and this is no exception. It’s great to hear the artist developing her individual style in real time.The live sound caught here doesn’t only showcase a good song it also tells us how the band would sound live.” Drummie Dave (The Crescent, York, UK)
“From a label that’s celebrating it’s 25th year, that “rediscovered” Dele Sosimi and has brought us many a “must have” release, a new voice originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that’s now resident in North London via the home of Northen Soul, Wigan! What sort of musical vices has she discovered.
As the label admits, it’s a glorious “smorgasbord of experimental styles fusing aspects of soul, high life, bossa-nova, jazz and reggae” with a big side of Sade (happy 65th this week BTW) and Red Hot Chilli Peppers (when they were good).
The band consists of Jasmine Burton (bass), Alex Karakurt (drums), Tawanda Manika (guitar), Olivia Cuttill (trumpet), Max Rodriguez (rhythm guitar) along with the singer/songwriter/arranger/guitarist.
She’ll be playing incredibly innovate Grow in Hackney Wick (near the Copper Box Arena) on 2nd February along with legend Vanessa Freeman (last seen with Reel People, see review HERE), label head honcho Dom Servini (last seen, by me that is, at WeOutHere Festival orchestrating the main stage) and more Wah Wah 45s favourites.
This new single follows ‘Heights Of Love’ (see review HERE) so we’re getting excited at the prospect of a debut album for what is definitely a long way from Wigan, pier or otherwise: did I ever tell you of my pilgrimage to Wigan Pier or the snowed off game at Springfield Park? Another time eh!” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)
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