Tuff Times Never Last

Following 2022s Could We Be More, Kokorokos auspicious, wildly successful debut, the band undertook a successful international tour and remixes in 2023, followed by 2024s four-track Get the Message EP. The lineup on Tuff Times Never Last remains with the exception of altoist/composer Cassie Kinoshi, who directs the fantastic SEED Ensemble. The octet and vocal guests are led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and co-founding percussionist Onome Edgeworth, with trombonist Noushy Nanguy, bassist Duane Atherley, keyboardist Yohan Kebede, guitarist Tobi Adenaike, and drummer Ayo Salawu. Luci Pinas wonderful album cover depicts a street dance party in full swing and the music, like it, has an underlying message that exhorts listeners to embrace dualities in everyday life. The songs reflect struggle, community, innocence, sensuality, spirituality, pleasure, and perseverance. Its sound is modern, but nonetheless follows in the summer sounds previously offered by Sly Stones "Hot Fun in the Summertime," Syreetas "Let Me Be the One," Kool & the Gangs "Summer Madness," Curtis Mayfields "Back to the World," and Bob Marleys "Is This Love." Opener "Never Lost" delivers a lovers rock reggae groove with a glorious trombone break from Nanguy atop shimmering organ, dubwise bass, and an expressive trap kit. Maurice-Greys vocals are up front, overdubbed, and accompanied by layers of the band singing in chorus as the entire track is stripped down to employ dub rhythms, a sultry trumpet solo, and seductive guitars. The single "Sweetie" asserts a rumbling bass alongside the horn section atop a skittering, syncopated backbeat. By the second verse, the entire track has been transformed into West African disco. A surprising key change places Maurice-Grey and Nanguy in a swinging conversation as the chorus and rhythm section buoy them. "Closer to Me," driven by Atherlys fluid, innovative bassline, is a tender, sensual, neo-soul love song. The following three cuts include guest vocalists South London British/Nigerian Afro-soul singer/songwriter LULU fronts the band on the humid, sexy, "Idea 5 (Call My Name)" atop ticking hi-hat and rim shots that offer a sound palette for bass, guitars, dubwise horns and more to adorn the singers deliriously romantic vocal. Nigerian Azekel, the mid-2020s king of neo-soul vocals, sounds a bit like Smokey Robinson crooning over Salawus feisty drum kit and sound system horns. Soul and jazz singer Demae leads "Time and Time." Kokoroko weaves neo-soul, funk, contemporary jazz, and Dilla-esque beats in a tender love song given authority by a killer organ break. "Dah Du Dah," led by the horn section and Maurice-Greys wonderful, optimistic vocal, makes it radio-ready; one can hear the ghost traces of Patrice Rushens "Remind Me" in the verse. It segues into "Together We Are,” where funk meets samba in psych-laced fusion with an intense, distorted chorus. Maurice-Grey outdoes herself on "Just Cant Wait," a soulful meditation on memory, healing, and rekindled love, employing highlife, Afro- and neo-soul, and contemporary jazz, made poignant by Adenaikes intuitive, stylish guitar playing. Simply put, the wonderfully accessible, soulful, and bracing Tuff Times Never Last is the summer soundtrack of 2025. ~ Thom Jurek

ロンドンを拠点とするアフロ・ジャズ・コレクティヴの3年ぶり2作目。特有の雑多な音楽性をさらに押し広げ、西アフリカのディスコに敬意を表したという"Sweetie"、ナイジェリアのシンガー・ソングライターであるアゼケルをフィーチャーした"Three Piece Suit"など、国籍不問のグルーヴを展開する。終盤の"Da Du Dah"からエンディングにかけてのムーディーな流れが秀逸。
bounce (C)藤堂輝家