{"title":"Kokoroko","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"kokoroko-could-we-be-more","title":"Kokoroko - Could We Be More (LP)","description":"","brand":"Kokoroko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40654343995451,"sku":"O44 - 2022,Q3 - 2022,O24 - 2024","price":34.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0259\/9403\/5259\/products\/994683.jpg?v=1659792287"},{"product_id":"kokoroko-get-the-message","title":"Kokoroko - Get the Message (12\")","description":"\u003cp\u003eKokoroko, the London-based contemporary jazz collective, has released their new single ‘Three Piece Suit’ featuring Azekel.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWarm, rich and sumptuous in sound, ‘Three Piece Suit’ is a heartwarming tribute to the Nigerian immigrant experience. An initial draft of the track first began life at Kokoroko’s studio under the working title ‘Get The Message’.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCrackling through the track’s snug and patiently arranged grooves are subtle touches of funk, adding new dimensions to the band's signature afrobeat and jazz sound in a way that recalls the work of Cymande. Further caressing the instrumentation is the incorporation of the Brazilian nose flute and woozy-sounding synth lines, effortlessly transporting the listeners back in time.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe forthcoming EP will mark Kokoroko’s first dose of new music since the release of ‘Could We Be More Remixes’. The experimental and kaleidoscopic sister project to their 2022 debut album ‘Could We Be More’ which upon initial release earned critical plaudits from the likes of The Guardian, The Telegraph, Financial Times, Jazzwise, CRACK Magazine and Downbeat Magazine. The release would also garner their first Top 40 placement on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No.30.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEnlisting some of contemporary music’s most forward-thinking artists like KeiyaA, Ash Lauryn, Stefan Ringer and Hagan to re-imagine the original album through a club-focused lens, ‘Could We Be More Remixes’ marked the beginning of the band being cast beyond spaces unrelated to the jazz sphere. A signal of their incoming next phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo coincide with the release of ‘Get The Message’, Kokoroko will be embarking on a headline tour across the UK which will culminate with a date at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. This will mark the biggest headline show of their career.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTRACKLIST\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e01. Higher02. Sweeter Than03. My Prayer04. Three Piece Suit (feat. Azekel)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kokoroko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50086110429528,"sku":"","price":15.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0259\/9403\/5259\/files\/BWOOD0383EP.webp?v=1728482553"},{"product_id":"kokoroko-tuff-times-never-last-lp","title":"Kokoroko - Tuff Times Never Last (LP)","description":"\u003cp\u003eSet for release on July 11th via Brownswood Recordings, ‘Tuff Times Never Last’ is a spirited and vibrant collection of songs serving as an optimistic reminder to tightly hold and embrace the many dualities that occur in life. Over the course of the 11-song suite, the album explores togetherness, community, sensuality, childhood, loss and above all perseverance.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eInitially drawing inspiration from a viral social media meme, co-bandleader Onome Edgeworth said of the title’s origins and meaning: “It’s true! Although we’re reflecting on joy and celebration, you realize that a lot of that beauty comes out of challenges and difficulties. It felt like a natural truth that we discovered whilst writing”.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying artwork was painted by Luci Pina, the acclaimed illustrator whose work has been sought and commissioned by the likes of The Cut, Soho House, DICE, Apple Music and It’s Nice That. Embedded within the image is Kokoroko’s ode to London in the summer. Speaking on its design, co-bandleader Sheila Maurice-Grey said: “The remit was summer in London, family and sense of everyone being in a congregation-like audience, and us being the musicians”.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork’s imagery and colour was inspired by feelings of innocence and nostalgia - coming of age in London and those rare summer nights where everything felt full of hope. The cityscape also pays homage to Spike Lee’s 1994 film ‘Crookyln’ and Rick Famuyiwa’s 1999 opus ‘The Wood’. The band saw these movies as heartwarming representations of black family, community and resilience that served as a balm for them as Londoners. Speaking further on this, co-bandleader Onome Edgeworth said: “‘Crooklyn’ is very emotional, but also very uplifting. It felt like how I grew up. This album is us sharing our own feelings, hopes and dreams. We didn’t always have those stories in the UK”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThree years on from their debut album ‘Could We Be More’ which peaked at No.30 on the UK Albums Chart and received acclaim from The Guardian, The Telegraph, Financial Times, Jazzwise, CRACK Magazine and Downbeat Magazine, ‘Tuff Times Never Last’ sees the London band with careless abandon expand their wide-ranging palette and influences.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the afrobeat jazz of their previous work is still a core part of the record’s sonic design, the new album largely pulls from British R\u0026amp;B from the 80s, neo-soul, West African disco, bossa nova, lovers rock and funk. Sonically taking cues from the likes of Loose Ends, Don Blackman, Common, Sly \u0026amp; Robbie, William Onyeabor, Patrice Rushen, Ofori Amponsah and Cymande. Throughout this instinctive evolution, the septet's seasoned musicianship preserves the essence of who Kokoroko are as masterful jazz artisans.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaking on the band’s progression in sound, co-bandleader Sheila Maurice-Grey said: “Innately, we’re jazz musicians but we've tried not to kind of box ourselves into one sound. So there is a level of freedom we're starting to feel. We want to continue being as creative as possible without feeling any boundaries”.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe unveiling of the new album comes alongside the LP’s lead single ‘Sweetie’, a tantalising first taste of the new record that bridges the gap between where the band has been and where they’re going. A tribute to the playful bond between lovers, ‘Sweetie’ is a horn-led and wonky-sounding tune saluting West African disco. It expands upon the band exploring more electronic sounds and toying with obscure drum machine and synth sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e‘Sweetie’ marks Kokoroko’s first dose of new music since their EP ‘Get The Message’. Released last November, the project spawned ‘Three Piece Suit’ featuring Azekel - their honouring of Nigerian elders contemplating home, lineage and ancestry in 1960s London.. Upon its release, the EP earned praise from Rolling Stone Africa, Bandcamp Daily, The Fader, YAMS, OkayAfrica, TRENCH, Official Charts, NOTION, CLASH, DMY, Rough Trade and The Stranger.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo coincide with the release of ‘Tuff Times Never Last’, Kokoroko will be embarking on the biggest headline show of their career when they play London’s O2 Academy Brixton on September 25th.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kokoroko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54720519569752,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0259\/9403\/5259\/files\/Kokoroko-Tuff-Times-Never-Last.jpg?v=1744834706"}],"url":"https:\/\/3345.nl\/nl\/collections\/kokoroko.oembed","provider":"3345 Record Store The Hague","version":"1.0","type":"link"}