Kito Jempere has announced his fourth studio album Green Monster - a journey through love, interconnectedness and creative freedom, bound together by musical friendship that breaks through walls, borders, languages and shapes; accumulated over a celebrated twenty year career and 10 years of Kito Jempere in 2023.
Over fourteen tracks Kito teams up with over 26 artists from all over the world: a range of talented artists including Warp records artist Jimi Tenor, Red Snapper drummer Rich Thair, Azari & III ex-vocalist Starving Yet Full, L.I.E.S. records Lipelis (on bass), Curly Castro and SINDYSMAN. The album blends hip-hop, free-flowing jazz and world-building soundscapes into a piece dedicated to Kito’s musical roots & love for collaboration; marrying multiple artforms, cultural influences and international artists into a body of work that feels deeply personal, healing and detailed. The accompanying artwork is a world created by Kito made using Midjourney prompt, connecting the albums audio world with visible objects - both vinyl and CD will contain booklets with lyrics and the visual world of "Green Monster».
Kito describes the album ‘like getting Ennio Morricone, Weezer, The Beatles, Oneothrix Point Never, Eduard Artemiev, Jaga Jazzist, Massive Attack, Fugazi, Jimi Tenor, Hans Zimmer, Radiohead, John Cage and Aphex Twin all together, then collaborating with movie-directors Wes Anderson, David Lynch, Dziga Vertov and Andrei Tarkovskiy.’ Used as a metaphor to help create his album.
‘The Language of Love’ kicks things off beautifully, featuring Anthona MC on trumpet and Swedish singer-songwriter Adam Evald. Floating melodies meet detuned sonics held together by Adam’s heavenly vocals - creating an audio sensory experience that touches every cell. ‘Strong Accent’ demonstrates Kito’s talent for collaboration, painting an expansive sonic palette with the help of co-producer Lovvlovver, SINDYSMAN and Curly Castro’s undeniable flow. Live drum samples create movement and groove, while Buchla generates beams of light creating silhouettes around powerful lyrical performances. Manchester’s SINDYSMAN collaborates for a second time on ‘Praise This’ with another unmistakable and dynamic display.
‘Forget, Forgive’ enters the frame in cinematic fashion, as an ineffable sequence evolves. The sky turns to red as the surrounding waves become harsher - Interchanging alongside mishinuki’s longing voice. The hypnotizing tones of ‘Ingen Förstår’ in Swedish language move rhythmically around the surface before the free-flowing energy of ‘The Closing Night Shift At Jazz Cafe’ spins gently on a turntable - a title that describes the music perfectly as visuals of New York's neon signs, candlelit tables and magical moments rush to our minds. ‘Breed’ featuring Ÿorik strums gently in the moonlight as the last patron makes their way home.
The second half of the album has a dream-like quality with tracks ‘In The Mood For Dub’ & ‘Obey’ both featuring mishinuki putting listeners into a state of trance. ‘Light’ made in Kito’s native language warps the dream even further before the sweet sounding sonics of ‘Kawbato’ place our minds in front of hidden jungles and reflecting river falls.
There is a radiant, magical quality that shines deeply throughout Kito’s collaboration with Budūchi , Ni! & Lipelis. Each word is sung in a different African language alongside Kito’s school guitar; a personal instrument that dates back to his school years.
Featuring Adam Evald and Ni! once more ‘Magic Mystery Tour’ sounds exactly how you might imagine it; before ‘(りんロゴ)’ breathes warmly through the speakers as an ode to Oneothrix Point Never and early Warp Records works.‘The Sun Is Still Up’ is the most featured track within the album and feels like the final destination of a whirl-wind journey. A cathartic outpouring of emotion, with a message dedicated to love and hope.
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