Mysterious duo Manqo make their debut on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels imprint

A coming together of forces unknown often bears great and unfathomable results; much is the case with mysterious duo Manqo, as they begin to bubble up in popularity within the electronic music space.

A chance meeting brought the pair together, with an instant realisation of their combined capabilities and eclectic musical tastes leading to a blend of soulful atmospheres and beats – way beyond the realms of their expectation.

Translated from the German word ‘Manko’, which means ‘imperfection’, what feels like a pleasantly destined mistake has become one of those exceptional instances that defy the odds to carve out something truly magical.

Manqo first surfaced in 2020 via VOD, finding Keinemusik’s Rampa, who lightly re-touched the record for its official release. A release that opened the door to the world, we were firmly introduced to the duo and their distinctively hedonistic sonic signature.

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Fast forward to the tail end of 2021, and Manqo return with another indulgent release, this time delivered on Damian Lazarus’ exalted Crosstown Rebels imprint. ‘Breaking Hearts’ features the incredibly resonant and soulful vocals of Belgian artist Amos. The release showcases more of Manqo’s decadent melodic prowess, combined with percussive-rich rhythms and intrinsic energy.

Perhaps even more impressively, joining them on release is none other than globally-revered Afro-House luminary Black Coffee. His standout remix delivers a definitively mellifluent adaptation of the original cut in a way only he possibly could.

With such high-quality musical creation already on display, there is an understandable natural intrigue surrounding the duo – with rumours that they are no newbies to the scene but already well-known solo artists exploring other musical styles.

Could it be the case? It’s too early to say for sure. For now, we can only listen to the story unfold as it writes itself, one chance encounter at a time.