Toto Bona Lokua: Bondeko

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Gerald Toto (g, v, perc)
Richard Bona (v, b, p, d, perc)
Lokua Kanza (v, g, f)

Label:

Nø Førmat

April/2018

RecordDate:

2017

A sort of African-origin Crosby, Stills and Nash, this power trio burst onto the world jazz scene back in 2004 with a debut, Totobonalokua, that was lauded for its boundary-crossing, tradition blending ingenuity. After which the three world jazz stars – Cameroonian singer/bassist Richard Bona, Congolese singer/guitarist Lokua Kanza and French-Caribbean percussionist Gerald Toto – got on with their respective solo careers; 14 years later, having finally found a window to connect and record a follow-up, comes this superlatively crafted gem, all entwining voices, catchy hooks and gentle, swaying rhythms. First single, the French-language ‘Ma Mama’, is a dreamy yet finely detailed paean to mothers everywhere, delivered with the subtlety one might expect from a triumvirate that includes Grammy nominees and a former NYU jazz professor. Melancholy guitars vie and blend with flute, padding percussion and rhythms from all over; French producer Laurent Bizot keeps his electronic touches subtle. Smooth stuff, but with enough edges to be marvellous.

Follow us

Jazzwise Print

  • Latest print issues

From £5.83 / month

Subscribe

Jazzwise Digital Club

  • Latest digital issues
  • Digital archive since 1997
  • Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
  • Reviews Database access

From £7.42 / month

Subscribe

Subscribe from only £5.83

Never miss an issue of the UK's biggest selling jazz magazine.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Jazzwise magazine.

Find out more