Koka Mass Jazz is the solo-project-turned-party from Konstantin Katsarski. Katarski is a sound designer, musician, songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer -- he does it all -- based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Konstantin could remain a solo artist, but after creating the concept of Koka Mass Jazz in 2013 a band of musicians quickly became involved. Their sound is that of a drunken funk brigade … fun and full of embellishments. Listeners can expect this talented group's work to cover styles ranging across funky breaks, nu jazz, funk, soul, and even a bit of afro-beat. Much of the music and arrangement of the songs are composed by Katarski while the lyrics are written by vocalist Denitsa Georgieva.
Their first single, "Smile”, made its way onto Cold Busted's Bust Free compilation before receiving the full remix treatment from the label's family of beat-smiths in a well-received follow-up release. That just whetted appetites for KMJ's new twelve track album Groovy Jam Shoes, where the party continues on in true, feel-good funk fashion. It features a barrage of big band energy, jam-packed with highlights. Highlights include the limb-liberating cut "Freedom" which layers on rhythmic guitar, wah-wah licks, and screeching organs. A fierce percussive workout, "Rhythm By Rhythm" unleashes rickety, afro-cuban drums, vocal scatting, and chants sure to lift dancers out of their environment and drop them into another land. "Keep The Groove" sees Denitsa's singing at its finest and most commanding while horns, sax, and flairs of a psychedelic guitar riff propel the song forward. Rounding off the album, "You Will Be Done" serves as a more introspective cool down after so much heated funk. This debut full length on Cold Busted -- Groovy Jam Shoes --leaves no doubt that the 'mass' in Koka Mass Jazz is short for massive sound.
Kid Loco - "Great grooves."
Freddy Fresh (Howlin' Records) - "Some very nice tunes … I really like 'Rhythm By Rhythm'."
Mark Farina - "Fun stuff."
All Good Funk Alliance - "'Sofia's Street Lights' is damn hot!"
DJ Wash (Funk the System / Butter Music) - "Awesome release. This is so groovy!"
Phat Phil Cooper (NuNorthern Soul) - "Party starters! Yes, I will enjoy playing these."
mister T. (Cold Busted) - "Just heard one of the strongest releases of 2015. Mass congrats to Konstantin and his cats for this super-groovy album."
Inland Knights - "Good stuff as ever."
Mojo Rising (Cold Busted / F.A.M.I.L.Y.) - "Live funk at its best! Masters of their craft, Koka Mass Jazz does not disappoint."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Super cool. Great songs with a very danceable party feeling."
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) - "Groovyfunkyjazzy … I love it!"
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion) - "Great work! A fine symbiosis between organic and electronic elements while keeping the groove spot on."
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - "Sweeter than a bowl of ripe cherries … I'm loving the KMJ sound!"
Lemar Soulflower (Soul Deep NYC) - "Reminiscent of some of my favorite 'Acid Jazz' hybrids. Connecting rhythms from throughout the world."
Available now from Beatport, iTunes, and the Cold Busted shop.