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
Plus our regular guest musicians. We've had the great pleasure to work with guys like:
Gary Alesbrook - Trumpet Nick Malcom - Trumpet Andrew Colman - Trumpet Nick Bailey - Baritone Sax Ben Plocki - Bari & Alto 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 Dale Hambridge - KeyboardsWe'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 Like
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)
"...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)
"...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)
"...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)
What Mankala say
"...We like to play High-Energy music to make people vibrate with emotion...sunshine music to make people happy..."
"...It's always hard to define your own music but we kind of loosely sum it up as 'Afro-Caribbean-Fusion-Groove'...our sound unconsciously draws from many syles of music such as Afro Beat, Soukous, Highlife, Reggae, Zouk, Salsa, Funk, Rock, Blues...it's all in there!"
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
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"
Mankala's second album Mankala are currently recording their second album which they hope to have completed sometime in spring 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)
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.
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.
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
Hey! Sorry it's so late in coming but just wanted to say u were amazing when i saw u at the fiddlers! Thank u for such a great night! Ur support yes sir boss were really good too and i danced non stop! Look forward to seeing u again soon :) Love n peace x Carlz x
sorry guys i couldn't make that one, not in london at the mo. hope it was good! also, check out myspace. com/ruckuscollective - just uploaded the final album tracks!
I just got your message... too late for these 2 gigs... I am currently working in NY. Will be back in a few weeks. But thank you so much anyway!!! Take care Amelie
To respond to Amelie's comment below, Mankala played yet another great open-air gig at Queen Square, Bristol, on Friday 15 August 2008. Great weather, Great crowd, Great sounds, Great atmosphere with energetic dancers near the stage.
Sup guys, you were really good @ Larmer tree, showed loads of friends your CD! http://www. worldrootsradio. com - Broadcasting the finest hand-picked selection of world music, check it out! Anyway, peace!
