BANA KADORI AUG 11th BALTIMORE CONCERT REVIEW

From: Doc Odotte

By Fred Ambiso

Bana Kadori’s performance yesterday was a true celebration of Benga music and all its associated genres. Yesterday’s celebration was rich, rewarding and necessary.

The doors were flung open at 6:45 PM and people started trickling in at a steady pace. By 7:20 PM, all the good tables had been taken.

The concert commenced at 8:45 sharp. Odindo (solo/vocals), grabbed the microphone, crooned for a minute before unleashing a wicked and sustained sebene, that emptied the parking lot as everybody rushed to the dance floor to dance to an unnamed tune, which I was later informed by the promoter Doc “P-Diddy” Kojiem, that the track was yet to named, as it was still being chiselled for their American debut CD.

Immediately after, Bana Kadori detoured to a summarized but infectious medley of their timeless tunes, including “Achie Maria”, “Milicento” and “Adak gi jajuok”. A respectable crowd of about 250 were kept on their feet as Bana Kadori magnificently reproduced carbon copies of the recorded versions of their songs. “Huruma Pasi”, a crowd favourite, brought the house down, before a strange phenomena gripped the hall, everybody was dancing with everybody, a great opportunity for the shy concert goers, as free willing revellers switched dance partners freely, obviously feeling obligated to spread the love that had been created by the Kadori magic.

Halfway through their third set, Bana Kadori opened the floor for special requests. A few concert goers requested for “Mercellina”, a staple of Limpopo International. I was knocked off of my feet at their “new” and “improved” version of “Mercellina”. It was crisp and bold.

Kabasellas, “Wuora Agola Adoyo”, soon graced the night; it was evident that the crowd was waiting for this song, as they, sang along. Onyango, Ochieng Kabasellas older, brother, the quiet unassuming brother, captured the original intent of the song via his angelic voice as he lyrically recounted, the events that inspired his now deceased brother's composition, a song dedicated to the drama that preceded Kabasellas first meeting with a father he never knew. Unfortunately, Kabasella was never to meet his father alive. They let the song saunter for a memorable 20 minutes.

The band then took a brief break, and then returned for the final set at 1:45 AM. In brief, the concert was delightful, memorable and quite dynamic. If you enjoy a show laced with high-Octane, then please find out when Bana Kadori will be in your area for their repertoire is headed for the history books. For future concerts, please visit www.banakadori.com .