Koko EP Dobet Gnahoré / Cee ElAssaad / Bayaka (IT)

Cee Elassaad makes a welcome return to connected, this time teaming up with Bayaka and Dobet Gnahoré, a world music vocalist from Côte d'Ivoire. The release falls ahead of an upcoming label party at this year’s ADE in Amsterdam. Elassaad is a fast-rising DJ and producer from Morocco. His style fuses exotic melodies and thunderously thumping rhythms with euphoria-drenched moods. Here he works with Bayaka, connected regulars that have also released on Mo’Black and Variety. The final part of the trio is Dobet Gnahoré, who plays with Na Afriki, a group consisting mainly of French and Tunisian musicians on guitar, sanza, balafon, calebasse and bongos. Now based in France, Gnahoré shared an award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance with India.Arie at the 52nd Grammy Awards. The majestic 'Koko' opens with filtered bass sequencers that recall the early disco work of Georgio Moroder. Dobet Gnahoré lays down a soaring vocal interspaced with adlibs, chants and spoken word that elevates the whole tune. The organic pads, percussion and relentless bass finish this classic Afro acid disco gem in style. This superb single lands just before Levy M's Secret Dancers event on October 14th at Club Up, Amsterdam during this year's ADE. The party is in conjunction with Madorasindahouse and connected and features Cee ElAssaad, FNX Omar, Da Capo, Enoo Napa and many more.