The Bongolian is the alter ego of Nasser Bouzida, multi-instrumentalist and front man of cult Hammond Heroes Big Boss Man.
Back in 2001, Nasser disappeared into his studio and created a solo set of recordings. Drawing on influences of Funk, Latin, Soul and Jazz, he produced an inspired selection blending elements of grinding percussion and heavy Bongo rhythms. The eponymous debut ‘The Bongolian’ was released early in 2002 to much critical acclaim and has since been followed up by five subsequent albums. These albums have all become record box essentials for DJs, finding a wide appeal from Dance and Hip-Hop to Rare Groove and Funk 45s fans. Many Bongolian tracks have been playlisted on BBC 6 Music and also featured on BBC TV’s Top Gear, as well as Amazon Prime’s Grand Tour.
In addition to this Nasser has written and recorded two funky library records for De Wolfe, a solo record Nasser Bouzida – Cookin’ At The Organ and has worked with artists as diverse as Morcheeba, Laurel Aitkin, Paul Weller, Craig Charles and Bad Manners.
For the live Bongolian experience, Nasser has assembled a band of trusted and talented musicians around himself to perform blistering, hipshakin’ versions of the music featured on the records. The band have played throughout the UK and Europe. “Mightily funky, Hammond driven bongo rhythms… part mod, part Sergio Mendes, very swingin’…” TIME OUT
Nasser is also the owner of Beat Mountain studios and creator of the Beat Mountain Sample Pack – a huge compendium of retro style drum and percussion breaks and loops. These loops are all performed and produced by Nasser, to allow anybody to create their own music with a retro breakbeat bedrock.
bongolian.com 