In 2022 Konkolo Orchestra released its first single on Rocafort Records: “Blue G.” featuring the South African singer Nongoma Ndlovu.
Radio DJ and musical curator Gilles Peterson played the song several times on his BBC6 show and chose it for the playlist he curated for the catwalk show of British Designer Paul Smith at the Paris Fashion Show 2023.
“One of the big tunes of the year came from Konkolo Orchestra”
Gilles Peterson on BBC 6 Radio
Craig Charles reviewed the album ‘Future Pasts’ before its release in January 2024 on his radio show and recommended it to his listeners.
“Serious album! If you have a soft spot for hard driving euphoric afrobeat, you need to keep an eye for this LP.”
Craig Charles on BBC 6 Radio
Further international airplay included the Leeds (UK) based radio LDC Radio, Radio Paradiso (Netherlands), Pista de Fusta on 3Cat (Spain), Los Ultrasonicos on RTVE Radio (Spain). And Swiss radio SRG Couleur 3 on the Republic Kalakuta show invited Malefakis and vocalist Nongoma Ndlovu for an interview.
"A rabid, forceful and voracious record like this song that we find
to be massive to the max, called "How We Got Here", that we're going to listen to."
Bombín, Radio 3, RTVE
On social media the album had a viral moment when musical curator Josh at Somewhere Soul
(https://www.instagram.com/som... featured it several times.
“I already know this will be one of my favourite albums of the year” Josh at Somewhere Soul
And it was reviewed by music magazines and by records stores.
“It's a joyous album from start to finish that does credit to the Afrobeat tradition while adding its own touches to the mix.” Juno Records
“An Afro Funk group, but one with a really uplifting vibe – a really special approach to the music that definitely sets them apart from the rest!”
Dusty Groove
“An honest cultural melting pot operation”
Rockerilla Magazine, IT