At this moment, who are Mojo Proyect?
Right now we are six musicians and four singers live; we have drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, percussion and dj. The four voices are four brothers of Guinean descent, although they were born and live in Madrid, and sing from flamenco to soul and funky.
You have just released an album, Revolution, what is the essence of this second work?
Yes, we are presenting it and touring all over Spain and Europe, making our songs known. The essence of Revolution continues to be the search for the fusion of many styles, such as funky, flamenco, or electronics. In this album we continue with that research and fusion process.
I guess you have an intense schedule of concerts.
We were playing two weeks ago in Madrid, this week in Barcelona, and now we are going to Granada, to Donosti, we will pass through Madrid again... So this spring and summer we will be busy traveling all over Spain. As for Europe, there are things planned for Germany, England, but first we are focused on the Spanish tour. We also hope to step on some big festivals. At the moment we will be at the Metro Rock, in Madrid, and some others that are still being negotiated, and that is why I cannot advance, that brings bad luck.
And when for Lanzarote?
The last time we played here was two years ago, and between one thing and another, we have not returned. Although I am the only one from Lanzarote, the rest of the group always ask me "chacho, when are we going to Lanzarote?", because this is a joy for them, it is a paradise. So we are looking forward to playing here and in the rest of the islands.
Now they are in a good moment but, what were the beginnings of Mojo Proyect?
The group was created five years ago by another guy from Lanzarote and me, when we arrived in Madrid. We started to work and evolve, there were many changes of components, and we dedicated ourselves to playing until the opportunity arose to record the first album, which we were presenting for two years. Now we have had another change of components. When I think about how the group was created and where it is now, I see that many things have happened, but at the same time it continues in the same line as at the beginning: the fusion of different styles.
Within those styles, is there room for traditional Canarian music?
Yes, in this album, for example, there is a song in which we mix a timple with arenbí base and more rock melodies. We are also investigating with African music, which we have here, next door, and is very unknown to the Canarian public.
There are musicians who do not look favorably on this fusion of different styles.
The fusion must be done from respect. We, for example, when we mix with flamenco, we try to know first that style and know how it works. Anyway, purism is never good. Flamenco, which until now was a very closed style, is opening little by little and more and more flamenco fusion groups are coming out, which I think is positive.
Could it be said that the base of Mojo Proyect is in the live?
The group was born and grew based on live performances. I think that in concerts an energy is created between the musicians that is transmitted to the public, and the public appreciates that. Playing is what keeps us alive. I think that because of the issue of piracy, the future of music will be in live bands, which is where it is shown if a group is worth it, and not in a product made in a recording studio.