LÉA MONDO / HEIGHTS OF LOVE

Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the debut single on the label from a very special new artist, Léa Mondo.

Hailing originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by way of Manchester, and now settled in North London, this young singer-songwriter and guitarist enjoys a plethora of eclectic influences. Léa’s musical output is a smorgasbord of experimental styles fusing aspects of soul, high life, bossa-nova, jazz and reggae. Drawing inspiration from reggae icon Bob Marley, and Malian artists such as Fatoumata Diawara and Rokia Traorè, as well as Nigerian born UK soul superstar Sade, her music largely talks about life, love, peace and freedom while reflecting on the state of the world.

Heights Of Love is a song about unrequited affection that focuses on Léa reflecting on a past situation-ship. The song is a fusion of soul, jazz and bossa nova influences. The singer’s heartfelt lyrics explore the vulnerable state that one feels while going through rejection, making it a relatable, but at the same time an instantly catchy love song. At the time of writing it, Léa was enthralled by albums such as Getz/Gilberto and Nouvelle Vague’s In A Manner Of Speaking, as well as the burgeoning London jazz scene she is a part of.

Léa and her band recorded the song live at That Sound Studio, Tottenham with producer Louis Auneau. The band consists of Jasmine Burton (Bass), Alex Karakurt (Drums), Mousa Dembele (Percussions), Allexa Neva (Sax & Flute), Max Rodriguez (Rhythm Guitar) and Léa herself providing lyrics, vocals, guitar, arrangements and co-producing the track.

Since 2021, Léa has been somewhat prolific on the London live music scene, co-founding famed female & non-binary improv session Peng Femme Jam, and sharing stages with our very own Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi and Afla Sackey’s Afrik Bawantu project. Following several headline shows across London, and a tour of the south-west of England last summer, she will be playing more shows early next year to celebrate the release of this single, and much more music to come on Wah Wah 45s!

Radio Play & Reactions

Radio play from Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), John Osborne (Jazz FM, UK), Bandcamp Weekly, Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK), Amazing Radio (UK), John Kennedy (Radio X, UK), FIP Radio (France), Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK), Jazzcat (Ness Radio, Italy), DJ Nelito (Power FM, Ireland), Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany), Radio Reverb (UK), Soho Radio (UK), Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)

“I’m excited about this one!” Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music, UK)

“Pretty little tune.” Juergen Jazzanova (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany)

“A wonderful new soul voice – excited to hear what comes next.” Aly Gillani (Bandcamp Weekly / First Word Records, UK)

“Top notch and so pleased Lea Mondo is signed. Simply great – beautiful voice and phrasing and sensitive and lovely band.” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM)

“Lovely soul music. Of course we support new artists starting out.” Dazzle Drums (Block Party, Japan)

“This lady has such a lovely voice.The guitar and horns breakdown in the middle of the track has just made me give this 4 stars instead of 3!!!” Raj Selli (Solar Radio, UK)

“She’s got a special voice and singing style.” Breakplus (Mythstery Records, UK)

“Super!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Krimi, France)

“Brilliant stuff.” Aldo Vanucci (Brooklyn Radio, UK)

“Two times high on Lea Heights of love, one up, one down. Radio support on my shows for sure.” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)

“On air – a must!!” Olgierd (Sofa Surfing, Poland)

“Léa has a very unique voice, blending soulful and afro elements. Together with the great music, it’s a bomb.” DJ Keyser (Tilos Radio, Hungary)

“Well done.” Lorenzo Al Dino (Jockey Club, Ibiza)

“Nice one!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)

“Nice!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)

“Lea has a very unique vocal sound and you can hear the many musical influences.” Steve Johns (Solar Radio, UK)

“I love it!!” Cesare Cera (Radio Bologna Uno, Italy)

“This music radiates sunshine! Beautifully sung.” DJ Osric (RTR FM, Australia)

“Love Léa Mondo.. very talented song writer and musician.” DJ Snuff (Universal Magnetic B Boy, UK)

“Lovely track, catchy and I like the change in tempo hopefully we see some nice remixes of this. Lovely work!” DJ Nelito (Power FM, Ireland)

“Nice groove & vocals.” Ash Selector (Solar Radio, UK)

“Sublime.” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)

“nice one.” Rado Tomek (NuSpirit, Slovakia)

“Nice track, Easy afternoon vibes.” Steve KIW (Balearic Assassins, UK)

“Such a good vibe!!!” Markus Milz (Radio Corax, Germany)

“What a lovely vocal, and the grove is just there.” Bob Hill (Illicit Grooves, UK)

“Nice lush sound, solid groove, sweet vocal, funky bassline. The sharp, jazzy outro & the drop climax was really lovely. A good driving tune.” Drummie Dave (Various, UK)

“Got soul!” Nigel Wood (Various, UK)

“What! Wah Wah 45s find the new Sade? Naaaw, this is far more promising than that! A single recorded live in North London that’s soul, jazz and bossa nova driven will find love at the heights and lows of love. Léa, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then Manchester and now London based is backed by the band of Jasmine Burton (bass), Alex Karakurt (drums), Mousa Dembele (percussions), Allexa Neva (sax & flute), Max Rodriguez (rhythm guitar) and Léa on vocals, guitar, lyrics, arrangements and co-producing the track with producer Louis Auneau. There’s a full 12″ jazzdance mix in here (when Dom Servini has the time to find it) but there’s lots more to come from Ms Mondo is guaranteed.” Gerry Hectic (You And The Music, UK)