They may be veterans of the tight Congolese street music scene but Jupiter & Okwess have always thrived on going beyond these roots. Formed by Jupiter Bokondji in 1990 the band’s popularity spread when they climbed aboard Damon Albarn’s African Express adventure in 2012. Support slots with Blur, recording on Albarn’s ‘Kinshasa One Two’ album plus sets at WOMAD and Glastonbury all followed before they released their debut ‘Hotel Univers’.
Since then, Jupiter & Okwess have become world music big hitters, touring internationally and building their catalogue with two fine albums 2017’s ‘Kinsonic’ and ‘Na Kozonga’ from 2021. Afrobeat drive, earthy Congolese funk, sultry Soukous and some rock muscle have been the foundation for Bokondji and his band’s songs but ‘Na Kozonga’ saw other them wiring in other dynamics. Ana Tijoux, Rogê ,Marcelo D2, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band brass section and even Beastie Boys collaborator Money Mark joined in the fun.
Getting up to date, the new Jupiter & Okwess album ‘Ekoya’ (out on 7th Feb via Airfono) looks set to delve deeper into the band’s connection with Latin music. For starters, this time around, Jupiter & Okwess have taken a break from Kinshasa by recording in Guadalajara, with Mexican rapper Mare Advertencia and Brazilian singing star Flavia Coelho adding their own flavours.
The album’s first preview track ‘Les Bons Comptes’, featuring Coelho’s sultry voice woven into some bumping afro-samba, provided a hint that ‘Ekoya’ will be pushing on with those fusion beats and now the final trailer single ‘Congo Blinders’ confirms that trajectory. Jangling guitars, hot stepping rhythms, fizzing lead licks and some full blown vocal power shows Jupiter & Okwess taking their sassy soukous even further. Signs are ‘Ekoya’ will be an essential.
Pre-order your copy of ‘Ekoya’ by Jupiter & Okwess from your local record store or direct from Airfono HERE
