BONGOS FOR BEATNIKS sees the welcome return of The Bongolian, AKA multi-instrumentalist and Big Boss Man front man Nasser Bouzida. His fourth album under The Bongolian moniker continues the musical journey where 2007's Outer Bongolia left off, bringing us back down to Earth possibly via France circa 1967 via 2011, in a wildly eclectic rare groove fusion of Funk Soul Hammond Beat Jazz and a Sci-Fi Boogaloo. Dig it.
The first single to be taken to radio from the album 'The Riviera Affair' (Feburary 2011) was featured on BBC 6 Music Nemone's Lunchtime Loves (who interviewed Nasser before his sell-out Blow Up / HMV Next Big Thing) alongside support plays by Gideon Coe and Craig Charles at 6 Music, and proving a strong favorite with club DJ's around the UK. The track was also featured as a Sky Sports Soccer AM track of the week. The second single ‘Give It To Me (On The Left Side)’ is a furiously paced bongo-crazed Hammond happening that is already receiving radio play ahead of the album release, both singles along with many album tracks are already proving strong favorites on the Blow Up club dance floor.
A decade ago Nasser Bouzida disappeared into his studio and created a solo set of recordings which resulted in the birth of his alter ego The Bongolian. Drawing on his influences of Funk, Soul and Jazz Nasser produced an inspired selection of recordings blending elements of grinding percussion and heavy Bongo rhythms. The eponymous debut ‘The Bongolian’ was released early in 2002 to much critical acclaim, and followed up by the 2006 ‘Blueprint’ and in 2008 by ‘Outer Bongolia’ (which scored a licensing deal in Japan). The albums have become record box essentials for DJs, finding a wide appeal from Dance and Hip-Hop to rare groove and funk 45s fans. Nasser has assembled a high calibre five piece live band with whom The Bongolian have toured USA, UK and Europe.
After February’s sell-out HMV’s Next Big Thing show The Bongolian will also be appearingin London at the Blow Up Easter club special at Madame JoJo's on Thursday 21st April with more dates and festivals to be shortly for this Summer.
PREVIOUS QUOTES:
"Nasser Bouzida is a man with talent to spare.
A Latin-flavoured jazz-funk odyssey" Q Magazine
"The UK's premier exponent of bongo-driven freakbeat" PLAN B
"Forget your preconceptions,
this is the REAL incredible bongo band" CLASH
"The authentic real deal crafted groove" THE ORGAN
"Totally mind-blowing" WHAT’S ON
"A beautifully well rounded album. Gorgeously psychedelic" ½ SUBBA-CULTCHA
"Mightily funky, Hammond driven bongo rhythms... part mod, part Sergio Mendes, very swingin'...” TIME OUT
blow up releases
bongos for beatniks
The Riviera Affair
Moscow Queen
Strange Lovers
V.C.O
Hamlet's Playground
Give It To Me (On The Left Side)
Jackies Half Nelson
Lauren's The Clock Maker
The Ballad Of Lily Kensington
Pretty Bertie
Doktor Of Eastern Promise
Bongolian Dream *CD only
Tortoise Walk
LP/CD/DD, cat. no: BU060CD/LP/DD
release date: 9th may 2011, status: out now
give it to me (on the left side)
give it to me (on the left side)
DD, cat. no: BU064
release date: 6th june 2011, status: out now
riviera affair
the riviera affair
DD, cat. no: BU062
release date: 7th feburary 2011, status: out now
