Top of the World: Album – Songlines⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The world may be getting smaller all the time, but as illustrated here, the sonic possibilities that come along with that are only growing.” – Quietus
“Exigent new rituals being improvised at the edge of panic” – The Wire
Urban griot and multi-instrumentalist Kaito Winse (vocals, tama, peul flutes, mouth bow) fortuitously collided with Brussels noise punk musicians Benjamin Chaval (drums, electronics) and Nico Gitto (guitar). The trio quickly see the potential for a new alloy and the opportunity to deconstruct knowledge and create a brand new playing field.
They go on to develop a crazy universe between experiments without a net and incredible postmodern grooves. This is truly the world as it is: a world of travellers who meet. Like Kaito, they can both claim to be guardians of tradition and curious about all combinations. Others, like Benjamin or Nico, are more the kind of multikulti. They share a desire to reinvent. They are ready to follow the backwater where it will move according to climate changes. It’s a world of movement and too bad for those who are afraid. They release their SF album via GLITTERBEAT on 7th June 2022.
The trio mostly play Kaito’s compositions, each making sure to write their part very freely. At the end all compositions are collective. The griot handles proverbs. These are the pillars of wisdom. He can both murmur and harangue, while his intense flute solos come straight from a free jazz he never knew. Nico brings this very rare quality of being both able to ensure the groove of a very uncommon rhythmic baritone guitar and develop sophisticated sound experiences. Benjamin plays his destroy drums with two cut pieces of brush handle. Also he provides an important Pure Data electronic part partially controlled by triggers, a real fourth wheel to the coach.
In 2023 they toured the UK twice taking in Celtic Connections, End of the Road Festival, Supersonic & Smugglers.