John Haycock
In A Bloopy Mood

This EP is a result of John studying kora (21 string West African harp) for 10 years with Gambian griot, Jali Nyonkoling kuyateh including spending time studying and traveling in The Gambia. More recently John began experimenting with modern compositional techniques such as looping, sampling and signal processing using hardware electronics, also incorporating clarinet, the instrument from his childhood. John has put together and impressive and unique live set, taking his kora and running it through electronic devices creating lush soundscapes and making solid beats with drum machines and samplers, overlaying it with woodwind instruments, bridging the gap between ancient West African folk melodies and modern electronica.

John was one of the recipients of the most recent round of the Steve Reid innovation award, who have part funded this project and provided mentorship for John.
Emanative (Nick Woodmansey) and Sarathy Korwar from the Steve Reid Foundation have both contributed, Emanative (A trustee of the charity) with production and mixing and Sarathy (a previous awardee) with tabla. Both have provided advice and guidance to John.