Country : United Kingdom Label : Mawimbi Genres and styles : Africa / Electronic Year : 2020

Time is a Gift Which We Share All the Time

· by Rupert Bottenberg

Afro-house was the starting point for London-based Afriquoi, a multinational and multigenerational bunch who’ve earned much approval for their classy, bespoke blend of pan-African motifs and European club production. Various releases have seen them bring in bits from all over both continents, but the new EP marks a more consequential shift for Afriquoi, now a sextet. 

It’s the first recording for which the full band was in the studio at the same time, and as such, it feels like the nightclub is not necessarily the primary consideration anymore. “Ndeko Solo”, in its original form, seems better suited to a Sunday cruise in a sleek sportscar (presuming, of course, that the dear reader owns a Lamborghini or such). The remix affixed at the end of the EP, mind you, is fortified with Afrobeat brass and drum patterns. 

There’s a more natural cohesion to the band’s playing together, and at the same time, the quality of their individual contributions are more perceptible. Jally Kebba Susso’s kora plucking and the guitar work of Fiston Lusambo (the elder “uncle” of the bunch and a veritable Congolese rumba star in his own right) are nimble and expressive, and lead singer Andre Espeut certainly holds his own. As do the beats and synths of their European counterparts Nico Bentley, Oli Cole, and djembe thumper André Marmot.

All to say that a DJ looking to light a dancefloor on fire might need to dig into their earlier catalogue, but if your preference in the moment is for memorable melodies, skilled musicianship, and a more substantial emotional resonance, now’s perhaps the time to check out the gifts that Afriquoi have to share.

Latest 360 Content

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Sight + Sound | Fili Gibbons

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Opera McGill | Imeneo of Handel through the lens of Patrick Hansen

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Mivos Quartet: three times Reich at Bourgie

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Éléonore Lagacé and “Brûlez-moi vive”: pop on fire

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Boubé – Voyager

Boubé – Voyager

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

An Invitation to Travel by Boubé

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

Ingrid Saint-Pierre – Five Upright Piano Songs

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

SAT | Le Couleur Changes Spectrum, But First…

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

Nick Storring – Mirante

Nick Storring – Mirante

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Los Pirañas – Una Oportunidad Más de Triunfar en la Vida

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

Ariane Brisson/Philip Chiu – Prokofiev: Flute and Piano Sonatas

The girls slay Turbo Haus

The girls slay Turbo Haus

marcel – ô fornaiz

marcel – ô fornaiz

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Subscribe to our newsletter