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Mankala
Afro-beat / Reggae / Fusion

Action Through Music!!!



Bristol/Martinique/Tenerife/Zambia
United Kingdom

Profile Views:  37012




Last Login:  11/7/2009
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   Mankala: General Info
Member Since5/3/2006
Band Websitewww.mankalabeat.com
Band Members

Mankala at Harbourside Festival, Sept 2008

Mankala usually performs as an 8-piece band

The Band Members are:

Omer Makessa - Lead Vocals and Percussion
Christian de Juan - Guitars and backing Vocals
Simwinji Zeko - Guitars and backing Vocals
Sol Ahmed - Bass
Jason Newman - Drum kit
Ben Plocki - Bari & Alto Sax
Dale Hambridge - Keyboards

Plus our regular guest musicians. We've had the great pleasure to play with guys like:

Gary Alesbrook - Trumpet
Nick Malcom - Trumpet
Andrew Colman - Trumpet
Nick Bailey - Baritone Sax
Sav Pacini - Trombone
Mat Colman - Trombone
James Bateman - Alto Sax
Ruth Hammond - Tenor Sax & Hammond Organ
Pete Bernard - Trumpet & Fender Rhodes
Dino Christodoulus - Tenor Sax
Mike Willox - Keyboards

We've also had the great honour to have on stage with us the beautiful and amazing dancers:

Penny Avery and Denise Rowe (from Tolo Ko Tolo) & Mimi Bior and Carina Shaw (from Mica)

Influences

All the music that we've loved and lived throughout our lifes...

Sounds LikeCD on body design

ALBUM REVIEWS

..." Roger Omer Makessa hails from Martinique, whiles Simwinji Walubita Zeko grew up in Zambia - and it's clear from Mankala's music that this Afro-Caribbean combination informs the way the band has taken shape. The results, as heard on "Speak Your Mind" are really very impressive indeed, as ringing guitars unweave over crisp, jumping percussion in a pan-African mix that ranges from simple acoustic traditionalism ("Africa Bolingo" & "Balata") to loping Afrobeat and Juju ("Speak Your Mind"). Tracks like "With the Sun" bring out the best of this cosmopolitan mix, with a rock-reggae rhythm underpinning Omer's Fela-esque vocal and leading to a looser, jazzy bridge before clicking together for the closing verse. Happy, triumphant fusion music"...
(Tony Benjamin, Venue)

"...the album shows great breadth of repertoire - Reggae, Zouk, Afrobeat, Latin Rock - and general good-vibe groove, all played with some polish..."
(fRoots)

Mankala
Speak Your Mind
Album Cover Worldwide £12.00 incl p&p

Record LabelMankalito Records
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 1 2009 3:00P
St George’s Hall, Migrations Bristol Sampled Bristol
Nov 5 2009 9:00P
Metropolis (formerly Jesters) supporting Kanda Bongo Man Bristol
Nov 7 2009 9:00P
Telford’s Warehouse Chester
Nov 8 2009 9:00P
The HiFi Club Leeds
Nov 18 2009 9:00P
The Bell Bath
Nov 22 2009 9:30P
Hootanani Brixton, London

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   About Mankala

What Mankala say

"...We like to play High-Energy music to make people dance and vibrate with emotion... sunshine music to make people happy... and to make ourselves happy!"

"... It's always hard to define your own music but we kind of loosely sum it up as 'Afro-Caribbean-Fusion-Groove'. Each of us in the band bring our own musical influences and experience... and I guess our collective sound unconsciously and inevitably draws from many syles of music such as Afro Beat, Soukous, Highlife, Reggae, Zouk, Salsa, Funk, Rock, Blues, Jazz... it's all in there somewhere!"


What the people say

"...Joyous Afrobeat Combo...their infectious rhythms and charismatic patter was a festival highlight..." (Venue Magazine)

"...a cross pollination of cultures that is a resounding success..."
(The West End Centre)

"...When you find yourself screaming for Mankala to come back on stage to work their magic on your tired feet, it's a timely reminder that there are essential, soul-preserving rhythms that will always triumph..." (Venue magazine)

"...I absoloutly fell in love with your music!... It's a mix of everything I've been getting into the last couple of years, and the first time I had seen anything like it performed live in such a personal space! It was incredible, really!!..."
(encouraging email from an enthusiastic member of one of our audiences)

I saw your set last night and I was really blown away! To see such energising music played with such passion and flare is fantastic!...I'd really like to buy a copy of your CD..."
(encouraging email from an enthusiastic member of one of our audiences)

Biog

Mankala brings together musicians from diverse places in the world such as Martinique, Zambia, Tenerife and of course England where the band was formed early in 2003 in the multicultural city of Bristol. Their music is multilingual and broadly multicultural and since they started doing gigs back in 2003 it has delighted audiences from many different cultural backgrounds and ages. Mankala has performed in numerous music venues, festivals, town halls and art centres all around the UK...and beyond. Particular highlights include a performance on the Jazz World Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2008 and a performance at the River Festival 2007, Bordeaux, France where Mankala appeared as ambassadors for the city of Bristol to celebrate sixty years of international friendship between Bristol and twinned city Bordeaux.

The word "Mankala" is the name of an ancient family of board games played around the world, specially in Africa and Asia and it comes from the Arabic word "Naqala" literally meaning "to move". For us Mankala means "Action through Music"...a meaning that sums up the bands philosophy.

CDs

Mankala so far has self produced and independently released one album 'Speak Your Mind' which includes eleven of the band's original songs and features guest appearances from some of Bristol's finest musicians. The album can be purchased through this myspace page and through our main website www.mankalabeat.com. Just click on the "buy now" button and we will post it to you wherever you are in the world! (we use paypal for secure online transaccions). But even better...why not come along to one of our gigs and buy it directly from us! We also sell Mankala exclusive T-shirts and hand out complementary Mankala badges! (thought I'd mention that!). Our CD is also available in various local independant stores around the Bristol-Bath area:

Rooted Records, 9 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol
My Yard, @BS8, 34 Park Street, Bristol
The Beat Goes On, 24 Cotham Hill, Clifton, Bristol
Drop Records, 27 Broad Street, Bath

Mankala
Speak Your Mind
Album Cover
Worldwide £12.00 incl p&p

News

Templates Compilation CD
One of Mankala's track "Speak Your Mind" has been included in a compilation CD created by Tenwa, a charity commited to help build a sustainable future for the people of Malawi through community-based projects. 100% of the profits from the sales of this compilation CD will be donated to Tenwa's projects in Malawi, Africa. The CD is a slice of Bristol’s musical culture and a testament to the energy and commitment of the local scene to have a positive affect on peoples lives beyond the city limits. Bristol is an amazing, wonderful, musical city, with a very warm and generous heart and many talented citizens. This album proves it. Click on the banner below to buy this Tenwa compilation CD "TemPlates Volume 1"

TemPlates CD Banner

Mankala's second album
Mankala are currently recording their second album which they hope to have completed sometime towards the end of summer 2009.

Remix project
In paralel to the second album the band is working with several Bristol producers on a remix project with the view of releasing a 12" album of Mankala remixes...so DJ's get ready! You can listen to "Speak your Mind Remix" on the player above for a taste of what it will sound like.

Contact/Bookings/Management

Mankala operates as a collective in which each band member assumes roles in the operation and functioning of the band according to their particular interests, abilities and experience.

Christian de Juan and Solomon Ahmed represent the band for business, bookings and general inquiries. Please contact them by leaving a message on this MySpace or send an email to mankalabeat@yahoo.co.uk

If you would like to speak to us, you can call Chris on 07887725888 (from inside the UK) or +44 7887725888 (from anywhere in the world)



Myspace Map

   Mankala's Friend Space (Top 24)
Mankala has 947 friends.
 Perenken Music 


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 aaron catlow 


 Yes Sir Boss 


 Max Baillie 


 WORMFOOD 21st Nov HOOTANANNY';S Brixton!!!! 


 Jack McCarthy 


 Calima 





Mankala's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 151 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Joanna

Joanna Dixon



Nov 9 2009 2:22 PM

have a nice day my dear friend
Joanna

Joanna Dixon



Oct 29 2009 4:15 PM

Thanks for the add, Glad to be friends :)
DJ Monkey

DJ Monkey



Oct 26 2009 5:17 PM

3RD WORLD WAR – The dj monkey Halloween Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_BCuw70AOs

"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell."  Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press   

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/djmonkey    http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/djmonkey2
 


Brazilian Beatz

Brazilian Beatz



Oct 26 2009 11:47 AM

Please help to spread the word about this gig so we can have more artists from Africa performing here in Bristol.  Thanks!!

Bones at the Bottom of the Barrel

Bones at the Bottom of the Barrel



Oct 24 2009 4:02 PM

Come to our party at the ..bone yard bar, the old fire station, silver st. Glam Gore fancy dress style! 4 Bands and party till 3! £3

Photobucket

Helen Jenner

Helen Jenner



Oct 18 2009 2:13 PM

Hi Lovelies, Thanks for accepting my friend request, appreciate it.. hope you like my page xx
Brazilian Beatz

Brazilian Beatz



Oct 16 2009 3:46 PM





Discount tickets available via the website www.worldbeatz.co.uk
Jessé Witney

Jessé Witney



Oct 10 2009 6:44 AM

Hey Chris, how are you bro? Pretty please send me those files asap man! I'm so pushed for time and need to make some changes to Paradise. If it's easier you could send it to my email? I'm trying to get a sampler cd finished. Sorry to be a pain, I will send you my address, big love man
OSKR T

OSKR   T



Oct 1 2009 4:30 PM

QUE SIGA LA VIBRA POSITIVA FLUYENDO
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
KEEP THA POSITIVE VIBEZ FLOW...............

DAHREL

DAHREL



Sep 29 2009 3:46 PM

Télécharge gratuitement ma nouvelle chanson "En manque de toi" un bon zouk plein de douceur extrait de mon prochain album.
Download free my new song "En manque de toi" from my upcoming album.




à bientôt
very soon
Jessé Witney

Jessé Witney



Sep 9 2009 10:30 PM

Hey Chris, that would be much appreciated man. Is within the next two weeks possible? Did you get my address? Hope you are smiling, peace
Katey Brooks

Katey Brooks



Sep 6 2009 12:35 PM

Hey guys

I've only just seen your invite to your mr wolf's gig on friday...can't believe i missed it :-( I'd have loved to come!

Hope it went really well and that all is good for you all.

Hope to catch a gig of yours soon.

Katey x
Jessé Witney

Jessé Witney



Sep 4 2009 10:35 AM

Hey Mankala! Hope you guys are well and spreading those beautiful rhythms far and wide. I'm just hoping to get the sound files for Paradise Chris, want to make a couple of changes before putting onto an E.P. Do you still have the files? Big love
Nicole Fermie

Nicole Fermie



Aug 24 2009 9:27 AM

Hey... thanks very much!  It was a cool night, good people and good music throughout. Loved it!  Glad you enjoyed,  All the best : )  Nicky 
Our Little Empire

Our Little Empire



Aug 9 2009 7:36 PM


Jack Bird - Music -

Jack Bird - Music -



Aug 6 2009 7:14 PM

for all those friends from hawaii to hong kong -
from the northwest to the tip of the south west -
here is all you need to know about the coming Croissant Neuf Summer party

Croissant Neuf Summer Party promises to be the feel good festival of the summer. With its intimate, boutique style and all power on site provided by renewable energy, organic food, locally brewed ales and one of the most eclectic music line-ups of the year, it will be nothing short of spectacular. Held just outside Usk, Monmouthshire - it’s the perfect family weekend in the country.

it not long now and hear its' going to be hotter than july,
cooler than september, yes -
august is going to be the month to remember - ..............

get your dose here with this widget

or @ http://partyneuf.co.uk/09/



Jack%20Bird
Quantcast
JACK DUPON

JACK DUPON



Jul 23 2009 4:49 PM

No glory for heroes, Pas de gloire pour les héros

Jack Dupon

à la coopé en juin vue par leur copine

MARIE...

Coopérative de Mai

Jack Dupon

live at "La Coope" in june filmed by their good friend

MARIE...

North Somerset Play Forum

North Somerset Play Forum



Jul 16 2009 8:37 PM

Thanks for playing for us - shame such a brilliant band had to play in the rain!!

But hey, we can always do it again!
Quita
SKANK-TANK!

SKANK-TANK!



Jul 13 2009 6:51 PM

Hey guys,

Really enjoyed the show in Weston - shame about the weather eh!!!

Good luck for the future!!

Skank Tank
TJ7

TJ7



Jun 25 2009 6:16 PM

Hello there!!!

Hows it going these days?

I hope all is well and good and I just wanted to let you know I've just put up a new track called ECHO so I thought you might want to have a listen. :o)
It's just the instrumental version I did not long ago but I do have a full section of vocal to arrange into this track so I'll keep you posted on the outcome! :o)

I appreciate your time and support and any comments posted.

All the very best, take care.
TJ7
ROADs

ROADs



May 27 2009 5:08 PM

Hi Chris, Good to hear from you. Nice to know your workin on a new Cd - we often put 'speak your mind' on the music player.
Doug
Smith and Willox

Smith and Willox



May 6 2009 12:25 PM

Hey Chris/Sol/Jason/Anyoneelsewhodoesthemyspace have a listen to some new S+W on our page.
andrew colman

andrew colman



Apr 19 2009 6:17 PM

Hi guys, looking forward to more gigs with you soon.

The brand new album by the Andrew Colman Quartet, 'I Remember You' is out now on 33 Jazz Records!!

It features Jamil Sheriff-Piano, John Perry-Drums and Jon Thorne-Double Bass.



/
www.33jazz.com

The entire album is a testament to good jazz. The rhythm section sounds great, both individually and as a unit, complimenting Andrew’s lyrical style perfectly.

Dick Pearce


You can buy a copy here -



DJ Sam aka Dj Yogi Flare

DJ  Sam aka Dj Yogi Flare



Apr 8 2009 10:44 AM

Omar, long time no see. I'm playing some funky, souly tunes at the cadbury pub this friday eve (10th) if around? i hope to catch ya around soon and see you guys play.
Keep me in mind for support Djing - especially festy season??? i'm contacting all i know regarding festivals if you know any one? spring vibez alive :0) sam
Colman Brothers

Colman Brothers



Mar 25 2009 10:40 PM

Colman Brothers’ new 7” mixes ‘Sem Amor’ (WahWah45’s) out now!!
This one features the Colman Sister Sara on Vocals!!!!!


New Single Sem Amor out 30 March!!


Get yourself a copy at www.kudosrecords.co.uk


Happy Listening – Colman Brothers

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