Album Notes

Joseph “JoJo” Kuo is a much-sought after musician and producer who is known globally for his extraordinary drumming talent.

No Kelen Kelen (Cameroonian term for "no deception"), was conceived around the time of the opening of the Disney Animal Kingdom theme park, where JoJo was the resident African band and special events leader, in 1999.

This compilation was a long time in the making, and the diverse cultural backgrounds of the musicians are woven masterfully into this musical tapestry. No Kelen Kelen features vocals by Chet Samuel (Burning Spear), Sisaundra Lewis (Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba”), Michelle Amato (Yanni), and notable studio musicians Rohan Reid (Najee), Charlie DeChant (Hall & Oates), Martino Atangana (Tchokola w/Jean-Luc Ponty), and others.

JoJo Kuo has contributed his performing and producing talents globally with such artists as Manu Dibango, Fela, Peter Gabriel, Papa Wemba, Mory Kante, Harry Belafonte and Richard Bona, to name just a few. JoJo’s creative talents have contributed directly to the success of many African hits, most notably Mory Kante’s, “Yeke Yeke,” an early World Beat production dance hit which sold over a million records worldwide.

JoJo currently lives in New York City. If you’d like to experience JoJo Kuo & The Afro-Beat Collective in person contact him at www.myspace.com/jojokuomusic or at his website, www.jojokuo.com. JoJo Kuo & The Afro-Beat Collective perform regularly at Joe’s Pub, Zinc Bar, Zebulon and other New York City locations.