Jul 19/09
alt.congo
What’s most interesting to me about Crammed’s Congotronics bands, Konomo No. 1 and the Kasai All-Stars, plus their compatriots Staff Benda Bilili, is that they’re for real.
When you read an intro like “a group of Congolese street musicians fronted by four eldery, disabled men in wheelchairs and backed by formerly abandoned street kids” or “an urban electro-traditional Congolese musical phenomenon, lost since the late 70s” the sceptics among us will ask, were they really playing together before they were “discovered” by a European label? Did they sound that way before they were brought into the studio?
The thing is, they did. In fact everything that Crammed producer Vincent Kenis finds is pure gold and 100% authentic. Kasai, Konomo, Staff; these guys stayed true to their musical roots both before and after their brush with fame. Their incredible backgrounds may cause you to pause over their record review for a few moments longer than usual, but it’s their stunning, authentically original music that keeps you on the dance floor.
I first saw Konomo No. 1 live in 2005 at the New Morning in Paris, then again at that epic show at 2007′s Couleur Café, then again last week at the Cabaret Sauvage, this time along with the Kasai All-Stars and Staff Benda Bilili. Amadou and Mariam also played at that 2007 Brussels show, but unlike Konomo they’ve since lost touch with what made them best – Mali. The hype now surrounds their association with Manu Chao and their blind love. Their music may still be entertaining but it’s no longer, well, the fresh Malian style that it once was a few years ago. They’ve gone pop.
Konomo haven’t gone pop. In fact, they’ve sounded pretty much exactly the same since they started recording music in the late 70s. I appreciate that because their sound is unique and it gets me every time.. shakes me into a sweat.
The Kasai All-Stars are newer to “that world music scene” and are still finding their footing on stage, but after a few missteps they, too, grabbed the crowd and got them moving. By any stretch they are a pretty weird group but in a charming, original way that makes you shake your head, smile and start bouncing to the rhythm. It didn’t hurt that the sound was way better this time around.
Staff Benda Bilili’s live show really impressed me. I’d class them as true entertainers – and this is my highest praise for a live show – in the sense that they were there to entertain their audience, not just to play their music to a roomful of pre-convinced fans. They were trying to impress us, sweating, really rocking it, to make sure that we all came away tired from dancing, loving their music.
Classy and full of energy, Staff stole the show.
With its big outdoor terrace including BBQ, beer on tap and a very good pre-show DJ, a beautiful interior venue with good sound, there is nothing not to love about the Cabaret Sauvage. It was there at a private party in 2000 that I changed the course of my life… but that story is for another day. Today let’s just listen to some of the music from last week’s triple-Kinshasa-bill and relax.. just as I’m relaxing in a friend’s garden in Normandy as I write this. Summer is amazing.
ps- if you haven’t already, watch the Staff trailer
Staff Benda Bilili – Tonkara
Kasai All-Stars – Quick As White
Konono No.1 – Mama Liza (live at Couleur Café 2007)
Konono – Mungua (1978)
What an amazing line up! Kasai have yet to make it to the States. Hope they do so soon.
Hi,
I’m a blues and classic rock radio jockey broadcasting on world space a satellite based radio in India.I also do world music on a weekly special show. If any of the bands from the genres mentioned would liked to be aired on my shows please do get in touch with me.
I f you need more info on my station or shows let me know.
Regards,
Ravi
!!!!(^_^)!!!!
http://aboombong.bandcamp.com/
To Ravi: please contact me — vincent.k@crammed.be
Just wanted to tell you there’s a problem with the first video-link, or at least it is from here, or my computer. It says Your not allowed to watch this, or something like that.
thanks – I’ve removed the link. looks like it’s gone from the web..
Matt,
FYI –
Lucky psychic hut has the cassette version of the musiques urbaines kinshasa collection…full versions of all the songs that appear on the CD…an extra 30 minutes or more of music.
http://luckypsychichut.blogspot.com/2009/07/musiques-urbaines-kinshasa-cassette.html
Nice. Thanks for the heads-up, icastico.
Love Mungua… almost drove into a tree last night on the way home tapping out the rythmn on my steering wheel…. or maybe it was the exhaustion…
-B
Hi Matt, well, we were not able to connect @ Cabaret Sauvage… we should have exhanged mobile phone #s through mail…
I liked Kasai so much, rootsy music as I need to make me feel alive…
Staff, well, it was fine, but i coudn’t stand the crowd and how people are rude… I had to leave in the middle and keep watching from the back of the room… I’ll see them again @ Womex…
Konono, I listened from outside, breathing fresh air and meeting friendly people…
Anyway, I enjoyed Kasai so much…
Sincerely
DJM
Just got turned onto your blog by a friend and wanted to say thanks for the heads up on a new band. I have never heard of Konono or Kasai All-Stars until now and after listening to a few songs, I’m really digging it.
So thanks! Look forward to more write-ups.
-Sean
update your blog, need new muzack…
Staff Benda Billi is great! Thank you!
Over at my blog I’ve just uploaded a compilation of groovy Latin delights that you are very welcome to feast on! Check it out:
http://www.jonosaudio.blogspot.com/
Oui, A&M have become fairly mainstream. They’re still charming, though.
Thanks for Kasai!
We’re your world music neighbors (although we hope to be more regular). Come say hello!
Great !…
Ciao from Italy
Hey, is this blog dead or what? July?
awesome! if you like this i think you should check out chicago.com/music… this site features all local artists and events in Chicago! worth taking a look.