Summer is coming with “Radio” by Locomondo

Our first June offering brings with it the feel of summer. Suddenly life moves faster and the moods get better, despite the spring rain. We open the door and let the new season in, we peek with hope towards the sun and the upcoming long and warm summer days, while listening to a couple of songs from our favorite Greek reggae band Locomondo. Their last two albums, that came out this week, go by the name “Radio” in Germany and “Star” in Greece.
Locomondo are well known all around Europe. Markos Koumari’s band is one of the most listened to in Greece. Their interpretation of the old Greek classic Frangosyriani got in Fatih Akin‘s 2009 movie “Soul Kitchen”. We discovered Locomondo by watching that movie – a funny and poetic story, highly recommended by us to everyone that has not seen the movie.
Then in 2013 we heard (and bought) their album and the song “Odysseia”, which is like a map – you can easily check all the places you’ve travelled to in Greece with the song.
With an incredible combination of reggae, ska, Caribbean motives and traditional Greek and Mediterranean music, Locomondo always carry a feeling of lightness and laziness, endless summer and sunshine. The thick reggae sound is no coincidence, since in 2005 Locomondo recorded the album “12 meres stin Jamaica” (12 days in Jamaica) on Jamaica.
It does not matter if you are on a lonely coast or a full harbour, does not matter if you are waiting for the ferry or drinking cocktails at the beach bar; if you are driving down a road or gliding on turquoise waters in the company of turtles – Locomondo are always the right pick.
Because they bring with them the rhythm of the summer. In their latest album they surprise us with covers of songs by Cesaria Evora and Nena. The cover of Nena’s “99 Luftballons”, that we surely all remember from our youth, deserves special attention. It comes with text in Greek and the name “99 balonia”.
Both the Greek and the German versions of the album can be bought across digital platforms. There are a couple of differences in the playlists for both versions – they are arranged differently, and there are a couple of unique songs for each album. That is why we bought the German version on iTunes and will be buying the Greek CD in person. And don’t plan on taking them out of the car anytime soon.
With Locomondo’s Radio we welcome the upcoming summer and can’t wait to listen to the album during all our summer adventures – there, by the sea, where it’s warm.
June 2019
©MA