KonKoma is a London based Afro-funk outfit. Rooted in 1970s Ghana the group was produced and formulated by saxophonist Max Grunhard and producer Ben Lamdin (Nostalgia 77). The idea was to create a band around two highly esteemed Ghanaian musicians – Alfred Bannerman and Emmanuel Rentzos. The full line-up of KonKoma consists of Emmanuel Rentzos on vocals and keyboards, Reginald ‘Jojo’ Yates on vocals, mbira, sepriwa and percussion, Alfred ‘Kari’ Bannerman on guitar and vocals, Nii Tagoe on vocals and percussion, Jose Joyette on drums, Derrick McIntyre on bass guitar, Scott Baylis on trumpet, Max Grunhard on alto and baritone saxophone and Ben Hadwen on baritone saxophone and flute. The album was recorded by Banedic Lamdin at Ironworks Studios, Brighton, Fishmarket Studios, Willesden & Wax Studios, Shoreditch, mixed by Mike Pelanconi at Ironworks Studios, Brighton, and produced by Max Grunhard, Benedic Lamdin and KonKoma. Guitarist Alfred Bannerman, founding member of teenage Afro-rock band Boombaya (featured on the Soundway compilation Ghana Special) has remained one of the mainstays of the UK’s African music scene for more than 20 years. Keyboardist Emmanuel Rentzos has been playing alongside his fellow Ghanaian since the early 1970s when he was the lead singer of the young Ghanaian outfit Santrofi’s band. Once Max and Ben had won the support of Alfred and Emmanuel, Ghanaian musicians and now key members of KonKoma, Nii Tagoe and Reginald ‘Jojo’ Yates came on board.
