Kokoroko bring their A-A game with the vinyl release of Carry Me Home / Baba Ayoola
Kokoroko return with the exclusive double A Side vinyl of their infectious singles ‘Baba Ayoola’ and ‘Carry Me Home’, released via Brownswood Recordings, which both received heavy rotation everywhere from BBC Radio to NPR upon their digital releases.
‘Baba Ayoola’ opens with the supple vocal harmonies of Sheila Maurice-Grey and fellow bandleaders Cassie Kinoshi and Richie Seivwright, which ushers in the mesmerising percussion and the groove-ridden bassline that keeps the pace throughout. Drenched in a powerful brass section that often splits into separate harmonies, the track is written in honour of Baba Ayoola, Kinoshi’s grandfather.
Maurice-Grey says the London-based band’s creative process is one that sheds an equal amount of spotlight on each member’s ideas: “The way we write songs is that one person brings in an idea and that tune gets worked on.” They played and perfected ‘Baba Ayoola’ for a good while before bringing into the studio with producer Miles James who, Maurice-Grey admits “took it to a different level”.
‘Carry Me Home’ was stirred by a conversation with afrobeat mastermind Dele Sosimi whose knack for bridging his West African roots with London’s creative energy inspires Kokoroko’s own output. Surging with lush vocals, adventurous brass motifs and hypnotic guitar wah wah tones, listeners are held under a trance that urges you to groove along. Dedicated to Maurice-Grey’s late cousin, and percussionist Onome Edgeworth’s grandfather, the track has been displayed at over 80 shows around the world.
The band’s musical magic came together through kismet. While on a trip to Kenya with the non-profit organisation The Vessel, then budding musician Maurice Grey met bedroom producer Onome Edgeworth. The two bonded over their playlists in between conversations around the visibility of afrobeats in London. This sparked the idea of starting something that Maurice-Grey says “quite frankly, has black people at the forefront”. By the end of the trip Kokoroko was born and the eight-piece band took shape.
“For a younger black girl to be inspired by us… I think that’s really special”
Their meditative debut record ‘Abusey Junction’ featuring on the 2018 Brownswood Recordings compilation ‘We Out Here’ alongside legends including Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet. Since then, they have spread the love far and wide, from lighting up Glastonbury Festival to performing at The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
It’s not often that you see women at the forefront of jazz ensembles but for Kokoroko, this is the representation that is needed to inspire the next generation of musicians. Maurice-Grey shares, “When I was in school, I would have loved to see a line-up of three black women fronting a band, so I can only imagine how it might feel for a younger black girl now, who wants to play maybe the tuba, trombone or saxophone, to be inspired by us. I think that’s really special.” Edgeworth agrees, adding: “When I was a kid, I didn’t see any young people playing jazz at all so it’s great for that to be a bit more acceptable now.”
What makes their music special is how their clear jazz influences fuse with highlife and afrobeat stemming from their shared heritage. Kokoroko’s modern interpretation of these sounds is what has led them to be one of the most hotly tipped names in the scene today. “I think all of us are very proud Nigerians, and Sheila is ridiculously proud as a Sierra-Leonian, you’ll never hear the end of it!” Edgeworth jokes. “It’s so important for us to step forward and make music that represents and connects to that. Let your culture glow.”
With hopes of piecing together an album this summer, Kokoroko are looking forward to gracing stages once more, however big or small. “We’re just looking forward to playing again, in any way shape or form, we’ll be very, very grateful!”
‘Carry Me Home / Baba Ayoola’ by Kokoroko is out now on Brownswood Recordings. Discover it here.