Kongo Dia Ntotila ‎– 360° – New Vinyl LP Record 2019 – African Jazz Groove Distribution

‘360°’ is the second record from Kongo-Jazz outfit, Kongo Dia Ntotila. The 10-track album pays homage to some of Africa’s finest dance music styles – revived, urbanised, and seamlessly fused with a heavy injection of jazz. The ensemble consists of Mulele Matondo (bass), John Kelly (guitar), Mbouta Kissangwa (drums), Diala Sakuba (guitar) and UK jazz horn players William Scott (saxophone) and Mike Soper (trumpet). The addition of a new brass section is what brings the group’s musicality into a more hybrid sound, mixing the Central African dance vibes of their first album ‘Seben Steps To Heaven’ with a new exploration of Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Latin groove, and improvisation.

Championed by BBC DJs Tom Robinson and Max Reinhardt, Kongo Dia Ntotila have featured on BBC Introducing, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 3 and most recently, played a live session on BBC6 Music, where Tom described them as “totally authentic – as good as anything you get coming out of Africa… a great combination of sophistication, energy, musicianship and sheer life-affirming spiritual uplift!” ‘360°’ is all of those things and more. In the title track, Kongo Dia Ntotila explores the urban sound of African London, inspired by the current new jazz scene of the UK capital, it’s grungy, joyful and funked up. There is the pain of ‘Naleli’, a song that laments the suffering of Africa with a Jazz-Reggae sound. The joyful fusion of album opener, ‘Kongo’, as Kinshasa collides with London Jazz in a celebration of Congolese roots. The album sees the band move collectively through the sounds and styles of Africa exploring notes of joy, celebration, pain, and protest. Although Kongo Dia Ntotila has brought Jazz and Blues influences into their music, the heart of their sound is rooted firmly in the motherland.

This album delivers euphoric Afro-joy, polyrhythmic guitars, dancing bass, powerful brass, and beautiful harmonic vocals in an intense, immersive and a seriously fun musical journey. With something for everyone, from dance floor divas to masterful musicians, ‘360’° will be appreciated for its catchy tunes as much as its technical artistry and sheer innovation.

Tracklist