Bongo Go Music Works

Bongo Go began it's life way back in '84 as a UK midlands based Club/ Sound System/live music promoter specialising in African, Afro- Latin & Caribbean music with a particular focus on dance. what followed is the stuff of legends. From north of Watford we certainly are - but London has yet to match Birmingham's Bongo Go or Edinburgh's Club Arakataca.



Bongo Go remains one of the earliest and longest standing 'Tropical style' clubs in the UK building up a cult following and a healthy reputation for their inclusive, dynamic presentations...including top live shows with Olodum, Celina Gonzalez, Baaba Maal and countless more. Bongo Go & more recent Edinburgh based off-shoot Club Arakataca have continued to provide a club vibe that takes from both Parisian tropical ambiance (en Nous Allez!) and the pan African & Pan caribbean sensibilities of Colombia's Caribbean coast. Como Arakataca no hai dos! Amazingly only Dave Hucker's London based Sol Y Sombra comes close to the atmosphere of a Bongo Go or Arakataca club night. As musical styles evolve, then split and fragment these two clubs have refused to split down African or Latin lines - we know everyone has their own tastes but we think there is ample space to celebrate both - From roots to fruit - the dance music of the African diaspora....to the highest common denominator...yes folks proudly a Macarena free zone Bongo Go music works rocks on!



Bongo Go has always supported the development of the local music scene (from Birmingham UK the home of many famous bands.With this in mind we're eager to present to Womex the following bands and artists:



Orquesta Huracan.

From the eye of the Hurricaine one of the most vibrant Salsa & Latin Jazz outfits on the UK scene. A ten piece that really burns and a repetoire that goes from salsa classics like "Catalina La O" and Ismael Riveira's " A Bailar Mi Bomba" to adventurous salsa covers of " fifty ways to leave your lover" by Paul Simon. We're looking for UK and European bookings for Huracan who are equally at home in a club or festival setting. Music and dance workshops can also be provided. Copies of Huracans debut CD will be available at Womex. More info on Huracan from us.



Tribal Force.



Brainchild of stateside percussionist/singer Bobby Woods now in the UKs reggae homeland of Birmingham with this ten piece that aims to give the reggae universe a fresh new slant for the new millenium with R&B, soul and Afro-Latin influences as well as tributes to the masters. The band play their own material as well as a popular Bob Marley tribute set (even a mo'town set!)They're lookings for bookings worldwide.



Steve Ajao Blues Band.



Something of an inigma on the UK scene.Began playing the guitar at the age of ten and by the time he was thirteen was gigging in his fathers band. A talented all round musician who took up the saxophone in the early 80's and worked around London jazz clubs including Ronnie Scott's and the Jazz Cafe gaining a lot of respect from London Jazz Warriors...



Over the past few years Steve has once again gone back to the electric guitar and his blues roots with what some say what some say is probably the most authentic version of the blues this side of the atlantic. Contact Bongo Go Music Works for more info/availability/prices.