Carlos and Temjin of MMK

Carlos and Temjin of MMK

It’s all about the brass. Bursting onto the stage and quickly picking up a pace that didn’t let up, Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro made pulling myself out of bed after a few scant hours and making an hours trek all worth it.

This booty shakin’ sextet are tearing up the stage with a crowd of ravelers singing along to every word of “Baggy Pants” led by Bobsan on guitar. That’s right, everyone here knows both words. By heart. Even the guys from Ozomatli are approving, off stage right. Temjin on trumpet and Carlos on sax are the frontmen and face of the stageshow, but it’s Ginger on bass that gets the biggest cheers of the set as he leads us briefly into Run DMC’s Walk This Way. Brilliant stuff.

Tiger on drums and Mzo on the planks round out the group. But though it’s the brass that grabs you by the ears and shakes you about the place, everyone has a go. No primadonnas here. Solos and arrangements to feature all aspects of the band abound. Some of the best are when Temjin & Carlos disappear to leave the others to it, only to materialise mid track to stamp their presence. Mzo’s keyboards add a howling aspect at times.

Cadence is set with aplomb, and these guys kept it up right to the last second, no respite whatsoever. All I see around me is a bunch of smiling faces. Nice one.