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BOMOKO

Rating: ★★★★

Author: Martin Sinnock

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:	Grupo Lokito
Label:	Malecon Records
Magazine Review Date:	April/2023

Bomoko

This is the second recording from the London-based Congolese/Latin outfit who have been delighting audiences with their lively performances. Grupo Lokito are led by keyboard player Sara McGuinness, a musician and educator who has extensive experience performing and teaching Latin music. Her interest in fusing salsa with Congolese music led to the formation of

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Grupo Lokito in 2006. On this new release they are fronted by three Congolese vocalists, giving the recording a strong Congo musical flavour. There is slightly less Latin than on their excellent 2010 release Esengo Ya Ko Bina and the instrumental dominance on Bomoko is in the lead guitar and less in the keyboard. However salsa lovers will be pleased to hear the album’s Latin-style horn section of trumpet, saxophone and trombone.

The solo guitarist and co-composer of most of the songs is Kiamfu Kasongo, better known by his nicknames Mboka Liya or Burkina Faso. He is one of the best known guitarists in modern Congolese music having played numerous recording sessions, notably on a string of brilliant

albums by Defao’s group Big Stars, and having been a member of both major strands of Wenge Musica – JB Mpiana’s BCBG and Werrason’s Maison Mère. Bomoko is a highly accomplished

album that gives a great indication of Grupo Lokito’s joyous live performance.