"...Joyous Afrobeat Combo...their infectious rhythms and charismatic patter was a festival highlight..."(Venue Magazine)
"...When you find yourself screaming for Mankala to come back on stage to work their magic on your tired feet, it's a timely reminder that there are essential, soul-preserving rhythms that will always triumph..."(Venue magazine)
Mankala is an eclectic band that plays high-energy original music that we attempt to define as Afro-Caribbean-Fusion-Groove, with elements drawn mainly from Afro Beat, Highlife, Reggae and Zouk...but also from Latin Rock and Blues!. The band brings together musicians from diverse places in the world such as Martinique, Zambia, Tenerife (Canary Islands) and of course England where Mankala was formed early in 2003 in the multicultural city of Bristol and where the band is currently based.
The songs talk about the day to day things that are in the mind of a musician, like the constant struggle to make a living or the sacrifices that have to be made to accomplish our dreams. They also talk about things like the importance of sharing, giving and loving others by first loving yourself, or things like the beauties of nature and how a simple but powerful natural event like the sunrise every day, can be a source of eternal inspiration.
The name of the Band, "Mankala", comes from an ancient African game that must be among the oldest of human entertainments. It is also said that the word “Mankala†has a more spiritual meaning, which refers to "where the soul is aiming for"... but for us, Mankala means "Action through Music", a meaning that sums up the bands philosophy.
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Mankala's Debut album "Speak Your Mind" can be purchased Online on this myspace page and on our main website www.mankalabeat.com . Just click on the "buy now" button and we'll post it to you wherever you are in the world! (we use paypal for secure online transaccions)
The album includes eleven of the band's original songs...blending elements of Afro Beat, Reggae and Zouk...with an urban edge...and features guest appearances from some of Bristol's finest musicians...
Mankala
Speak Your Mind
Worldwide £12.00 incl p&p
But even better...why not come along to one of our gigs and buy it directly from us! We also sell Mankala exclusive T-shirts and hand out complementary Mankala badges!
The album is also available in various local independant stores:
La Maison du Zigou-Dam, 336 Gloucester Road, Bristol
Rooted Records, 9 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol
Oppo Cafe, 72 Park Street, Bristol
My Yard, @BS8, 34 Park Street, Bristol
The Beat Goes On, 24 Cotham Hill, Clifton, Bristol
Drop Records, 27 Broad Street, Bath