Kongo Dia Ntotila

Kongo Dia Ntotila bring a fusion of African roots-inspired beats and bass grooves with jazzy guitars and soul-rousing synergistic brass.

What to expect

The Kongo Dia Ntotila sound is a blend of Africa’s finest dance music styles, revived and modernised. The band draw on a breadth of African rhythmic and sonic traditions, with a strong foundation of Congolese rumba and the sunshine sounds of seben guitar, seamlessly fused with a neat dose of jazz. It is pure Afro-joy: dance-inducing beats, polyrhythmic guitars, grooving bass and soaring brass. The band comprises three UK jazz players on guitar, saxophone and trumpet; with drummer, bassist and 2nd guitarist from Kinshasa, DRC, all led by Mulele Matondo, whom Max Reinhardt has called “a visionary bassist”. They’ve had inclusion in The Guardian’s playlist of the month’s best music, and live sessions on BBC Radio London, BBC 6 Music and Soho Radio.

Kongo Dia Ntotila – Diantoti | Live @ Tropical Pressure Festival 2019 | RouteNote Sessions

Reviews

“a great combination of sophistication, energy, musicianship and pure life-affirming spiritual uplift!” – Tom Robinson, BBC

“Wherever they go they bring a raucously joyful party with them.” – Max Reinhardt, BBC

⭐⭐⭐⭐“A euphoric joy” – MOJO magazine, 360° album

“an untrammelled party sound” – The Arts Desk

“An all around incredible album” – Songlines magazine

“Incredible musicianship.” – Cerys Matthews, BBC 6 Music

“Kongo Dia Ntotila have honed their thing to an audience-thrilling precision; this is music custom-built for outdoor shows in the sunshine.” – The Vinyl District

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