
Named after a river, Kasai is a region in Congo which lies in the heart
of the rain forest where many tribes such as the Baka still maintain
their traditional lifestyles. The Maasai, just like the Baka, are
another dignified tribe whose lives still centre around a nomadic
existence.
Based in London, Kasaï Masaï brings us the traditional sound of the
most remote equatorial villages, with an Urban twist.
The band plays ancestral music which has been passed on from generation
to generation and is rooted in the healing power of percussion and
chanting combined with the majestic sound of the Congolese folk guitar.
The set becomes complete when joined, live, by a saxophone which brings
a smooth jazzy delicacy and an MC to incorporate this essential Urban
groves from Kinshasa.
Soon, you will feel the music oozing through your veins, pumping a
rhythmic African beat through your body. Hence, the audience find
themselves on their feet, moving toward the dance floor on an
uncontrollable shaking of their hips.
Kasaï Masaï is a 5 piece outfit, consisting of d'jembe, guitar,
saxophone, bass and drum. To add that extra exotic touch they are also
joined occasionally by two female dancers!
It is led by percussionist, singer and dancer, Voodoo King Nickens
Nkoso.
Nickens is a well known figure in the world music circuit. He has
worked alongside international Congolese artists, including Koffi
Olomide, Papa Wemba, Kanda Bongoman, Mose Fan Fan, Samba Mapangala to
name but a few.
In the UK, he has been a member of Baboma Bands, Robert Maseko's Congo
Beat & Koko Kanyinda's Soukous Koumbele for some years.
As a result, he appeared at many festivals including Glastonbury, Womad
(Reading, Grand Canary, Adelaide), Weltnacht Festival(Germany). He
performed on Andy Kershaws World & New, Later with Jools Holand,
John peel session, BBC3 World Music Day, Resonnance FM.
He also played at the African Nations Cup (Tunisia2004)