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Soto Koto Music The Oko Drammeh Company Music Production & Distribution * Music Publishing * TV Production * Booking
The Soto Koto Band The vision of Gambian-born and
United States-based world music deejay and festival promoter Oko Drammeh,
the Soto Koto Band combined the rhythms of Africa, the musical sensibility
of modern European dance music, and the
intensity of big band Jazz. Themusicmagazine.com described a performance
by the Soto Koto Band as "a tinkling instrument plays the lead
on a track of African drums and leads on to African voices and trumpets
in the big band Jazz style," while www.taobooks.com claimed that
the band's "spectacular percussion and exotic rhythms generate
an irresistible urge to dance." The Soto Koto Band joined with
West African vocalist Abdel Kabirr to record a CD of songs and instrumentals
-- "Gumbay Dance." The band followed that with two recordings
with famed Gambian vocalist Paps Touray -- "The Soto Koto Band"
and "Mandingo Beat." The band then collaborated with Gambian
kora master Jaliba Kuyateh to record Kora Dance.
Sample the
New CD Kora Dance Soto Koto Music Compilations
The list author says: "'Higher Octave Music has been a catalyst in the evolution and re-invention of "New Age" music to more accurately offer Contemporary Instrumental, Smooth Jazz, World Music, Flamenco/Latin and Relaxation Music. The essence of Higher Octave Music is best summarized by the words found on each and every CD produced by the progressive company: "We believe there is a place that lives within us all. It is a place vision and clarity, where the rhythm of life moves in harmony with a higher consciousness. The purpose of our music is to take you there." Founded in 1986, Higher Octave began as an independent, introducing 'nouveau flamenco' in 1989 with a debut LP by guitarist Ottmar Liebert and expanding into smooth jazz & Latin/world music. Acquisition by EMI/Virgin Records America, Inc. in 1997 allowed mainstream distribution in 1998 and ultimately merged Higher Octave with Narada Productions in 2004 under Narada World. During the several years prior to 2001, sub-labels Higher Octave Jazz, Higher Octave World, OmTown (vocals) and CyberOctave (alternative, electronica, dance) were introduced. Higher Octave moved from Malibu to Narada's former headquarters in Milwaukee and finally to New York City, becoming affiliated with EMI's Blue Note Label Group in 2005. Voted #1 Smooth Jazz label at Gavin 2000.
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Studios
Frank Jones Studios, Malibu, CA
FDS Mastering Labs, Los Angeles, CA
Sound Design, Santa Barbara, CA
Soto Koto Band in the U.S. Music Charts
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Soto Koto Band Press
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 French Review |
 Greek Review |
Japanese Review