Coco Mbassi, Jóa - New Album to be Released Soon

London, United Kingdom, September 22, 2014 --(PR.com)-- In her previous albums, Coco Mbassi took listeners on a musical journey where her African identity absorbs classical music (Sepia) and jazz (Sisea). Her intuitive cross-fertilization of genres has made her the darling of world music aficionados, and the accolades she has received acknowledge both her universality and uniqueness. It has been more than a decade since with last heard new material from Coco Mbassi, and the years gone by led to maturity, or Jóa, in the Duala language – also the title of her new album. In its twelve tracks, Jóa reveals the musical and existential journey of the singer. After embracing what the world has to offer, she returns home and excavates her cultural heritage. The aesthetic of Jóa displays, honours and praises the diversity of a musical background that encompasses West Africa and Central Africa. Coco Mbassi's trademark themes – keeping the faith in the face of adversity, love, hope, memories and promises – are infused with a mixture of traditional African instruments, such as the djembe and the kora, sustained by haunting African acoustic guitar styles. Jóa is not a comeback but, rather, a homecoming celebration where listeners relish in the soulful singing of life's beauty and complexity. Listeners well-versed in African music will recognize a variety of rhythms from Cameroon, Mali and Senegal, to name only a few. Faithful to her acoustic and minimalist tone, Coco Mbassi weaves her way effortlessly from melancholic ballads to upbeat joyful songs. Jóa showcases the absolute beauty of African rhythms without excess. One of its major highlights is its amazing tribute to Bazor, also known as Dina Bell (one of the greatest makossa composers); its subtle acoustic take on Bell's body of work is one of a kind, a trip down memory lane which actually emphasizes the innate quality of a musical genre that lends itself to unexpected delightful appropriations.

Free from ostentation, Coco Mbassi's rendition is soothing, filled with emotions, and true to her soul. Jóa will definitely take the listener on a delightful inward journey that will open her/him up to never ending musical possibilities embedded in Africa.

Nathalie Etoke, PhD, Author, Associate Professor of French and Africana Studies

Release date: 28th September 2014
Produced by Conserprod Ltd

cocombassi.co.uk
conserprodltd@yahoo.co.uk