Primary Instrument: Band/orchestra
NOMO’s roots are firmly planted in the fertile soil of African polyrhythm and American free jazz, and bandleader Elliot Bergman’s tracks draw inspiration from cultures and generations wildly different than his home setting. In many ways (at least geographically and sonically) NOMO are a distant relative of the TRIBE collective. Undoubtedly they carry the spirit of the legendary Detroit-label’s creative output.
NOMO were signed to Ubiquity through interest in their little-known self-titled debut album, and on the back of an onslaught of persuasive emails from their fans (including Sam Valenti IV of Ghostly International fame) that the band puts on a must-see live show. Raw propulsive rhythms and infectious melodies carry a horn section and multilayered percussion that is part Tom Ze, M.I.A., Philip Cohran, P-Funk, Antibalas, Tortoise and Harry Partch. Enigmatic Detroit producer Warren Defever was charged with capturing the band’s live energy, and he shaped the sounds for maximum impact.
“We blend minimalist keyboard loops, fuzzed-out bass, soulful group vocals, and rolling blasts from an electric mbira,” explains an enthusiastic Bergman. “Throw in a horn-led midnight funeral procession and hopefully you have a deep listen that’s also a soul shaking dance party for the people!”
In 2004 Ypsilanti Records released NOMO’s debut album and the band sold a few thousand copies (in the USA), mostly based on the strength of their live set. With the indie-press latching on to the band reviews came in from the Fader, XLR8R, Magnet, Blender, and the band even landed a spot on the URB Next 100 list. Later in the Fall of 2005 P-vine would give the debut album a Japanese domestic release. Following that, Ghostly International released a Dabrye remix of “Not Wisely/Too Well”, from the debut, on the “Additional Productions Vol.1” EP.
The band has a core of 8 multi-instrumentalists and their big steamrolling ensemble sound still leaves room for solo voices; Elliot Bergman (Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Synths, Rhodes, Electric Mbira etc), Erik Hall (Guitar and Percussion), Jamie Register (Bass and Singing), Dan Piccolo (Drumset, Canister), Olman Piedra (Congas and percussion), Dan Bennett (Saxophones), Ingrid Racine (trumpet), and Justin Walter (Trumpet).
The band has toured incessantly since the 2006 release New Tones. That album garnered much critical acclaim and ended up on top 10 lists from NPR, Gilles Peterson, and Global Rhythm. The band has performed over 150 live concerts since the album, touring North America, and Europe including stops at Bumbershoot, Pitchfork Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW, and WOMEX. Able to fit anywhere (literally and figuratively)”their sizable lineup hasn’t kept them from sharing a stage with everyone from Earth Wind and Fire, to Konono No.1, to Sharon Jones, to Dan Deacon.
Nomo pushes the envelope and comes up with something truly special. This one conjures up trailblazers Brian Eno (circa Before and After Science) and Miles Davis (circa On the Corner) and is utterly astonishing. Still driven by horns and percussion, Nomo is in formidable form on Ghost Rock, one of the most audacious and spirited albums so far this year.
THE BOSTON GLOBE
Whatever you call their music, it's got an infectious groove the makes it impossible to keep your hips from swaying.
JAZZ TIMES
NOMO mixes various strains of great black music into a single blazing sun of sound, and right from the distorted sounds of the amplified kalimba that open the CD, you know NOMO is going to hit you with a hip-swiveling blast of righteous Afro-funk.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Elliot Bergman's Nomo is one of the tightest, swingingest Afrobeat world-jazz bands on the planet.
MAGNET
It's party music of the first order, locking into a groove so deep you can practically feel the sweat.
FADER
When “Better Than That” came in with what sounded like a conga and a Coke bottle percussion duet I sat up on the futon, then I got smoked by both the ensuing free jazz saxophone solo and the mbira passage. I stayed with the music, all the way though to “The Seams” and “La La La”--the album's two brief final songs that masterfully explore both the band's astro potential and their sure-footed soul foundations.
XLR8R
Subtly shifting time signatures and grooves, and outfitted with more than capable soloists, Nomo sounds fresh in an otherwise saturated market.
URB
Elliot Bergman leads these 17 Detroit musicians bangin' blowin' and honkin' through some funk and afrobeat hot enough to melt a Midwest blizzard.
