Review: Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu - Ijó Yá’ / Ijó Yá’ (Voilaaa Remix) (Lovemonk)

Regular readers will know we love Kiko, Dele and Violaaa so more than than happy to recommend this 7" that features Lizzy Dosunmu!

Sensational Afro-disco from Kiko Navarro, Dele Sosimi and Lizzy Dosunmu! Check the sun-soaked heat of ‘Ijó Yá’, with Voilaaa rounding things off with a wicked remix.

We know a Voilaaa remix, he being Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart (Voilaaa, Mr. President, João Selva, Uptown Funk Empire) and most recently seen on 'Dance Para Se Salvar' with Diogo Strausz (see review HERE).

Lizzy Dosunmu’s voice leads the song with a magnetic presence. Her vocal lines are beautifully supported by Dele Sosimi’s backing vocals, adding depth, warmth and a sense of communal strength. The lyrics resonate with the zeitgeist, with reflections on words, actions and their consequences woven into call-and-response chants and Yoruba phrases. In a time when language carries weight and actions echo loudly, the song taps into a broader collective awareness.

At the centre of it all is the exchange between Kiko Navarro and Dele Sosimi – a collaboration marked by intuition and flow, where ideas lock in quickly and move with confidence.

Dele Sosimi

A key figure in Afrobeat history, Dele Sosimi was a former member and musical director of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80. Based in London, he remains one of the genre’s most vital and respected voices, bridging legacy and forward momentum.

https://www.instagram.com/delesosimi

Kiko Navarro

A Balearic house mainstay with over three decades behind the decks and in the studio, known for blending deep house with Afro, Latin and disco influences, always guided by groove, warmth and dancefloor intuition.

https://www.instagram.com/kikonavarrodj

Lizzy Dosunmu

A singer and performer with deep roots in the Afrobeat scene, Lizzy Dosunmu has worked extensively with artists such as Femi Kuti and Dele Sosimi. Her powerful, expressive voice brings both strength and soul to the music.

https://www.instagram.com/lizdos_omooba

Voilaaa

Led by French producer Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart, Voilaaa has carved a distinctive path reviving African-inspired rhythms through a disco and funk lens. His unmistakable style has made the project a staple on dancefloors worldwide.

Not as leftfield as you might think!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://kikonavarro.bandcamp.com/album/ij-y

Artist:  Kiko Navarro feat. Dele Sosimi & Lizzy Dosunmu 

Title:  Ijó Yá’ / Ijó Yá’ (Voilaaa Remix)

Release date: 10th April, 2026

Label : Lovemonk Records

Catalog Number : LMNKV122 / LMNKV122DG1 / LMNKV122DG2

Format: Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Commonsur - Commonsur EP (Lovemonk)

Lovemonk latest single on 7" and digital EP harks back to a 'golden age' of hip-hop, R&B soul-jazz, you'll want to fall in love with Commonsur! 

 

Just perfect modern contemporary soul out of Geneva/Madrid based production team that's on the beat and, to mis-quote, the 'sample not sample' with their tracks.

Rolita provides the vocals from her Spanish base and there's some 'real' vocals on the lead track 'Let's Make It Happen'.

These guys can walk 'The Walk', which harks back to some funky breaks and, as common with these things, is far too short.   But not to worry, Rolita makes up for it on the off-psych 'All Is Love' and 'Better Place'.

This is quite a bit different.to the last couple of Lovemonk releases,  Keita Sano & Sauce81 with the 7" 'Feeling Alright' (see review HERE) and Soulnaturals' 'Give Me The Strenght To Be Me' (see review HERE), but no less welcome.

BUY LINK: https://onerpm.link/113115501518

Artist: Commonsur

Title: Commonsur EP

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNK85

Format:  7" Vinyl / Digital EP / Bandcamp

Review: Gecko Turner - Somebody From Badajoz (Lovemonk)

What the hell! It's been over five years since Gecko Turner's 'That Place, By The Thing With The Cool Name' and over ten since 'Gone Down South'!

So it's about time the world had a new album by the multi-instrumentalist talent that is, 'Somebody From Badajoz'.

These 11 tracks are very him as 'Lovemonk' drenched soul Afro-Cuban Latin funk that touches the beach and dancefloor.  

At one extreme, he can play the radio pop-funk charts with 'Ain't No Fun Preachin' to the Choir' to the playa del Río, 'De balde'.

And if you've had a heavy Saturday, 'Little Dose' is a perfect Sunday morning pick me up, it's that good it's ideal for future Paul Hillery 'Children Of The Sun' compilation.

What's so great about Grecko is that he's just fantastic as whatever he puts his mind to, I can't believe he's sad, ('Am I Sad?) and what a happy clappy climax 'End Of The World (if Armageddon is coming, this is the one to go out on).

If you're into the Heavenly Sweetness / Pura Vida Sounds / Soundway Records, this is one for you; get it now before all his old remix mates start bangin' on his door.

Artist: Gecko Turner

Title: Somebody From Badajoz

Release date: 24th February, 2023

Label: Lovemonk Records 

Cat. No: LMNK74

Format:  LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

FlyGlobalMusic's Damian Raferty reviewed Gecko's second album, 'Chandalismo Ilustrado' back in 2006.