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Product Description
Review
The explosive debut album from Staff Benda Bilili is perhaps an example of African street music at its finest. The sound is a curious mix of Afro- Rumba, Latin Rhythms and rich vocal harmonies. Each track is diverse, vibrant and wholly unique yet the album retains a uniformity of sound and style that is both interesting and infectious.
Staff Benda Bilili hail from the streets of Kinshasa. A group of disabled musicians form the core of the band. Backed by a younger, acoustic rhythm section and a hand made, electric one string lute called the Satonge. The sound of which is slightly comedic at points yet never over bearing.
Whilst their sound is unlike any thing else, there is a familiar rough authenticity in the rhythm and lyrics, comparable in style at points to Buena Vista Social club and at others Fela Kuti. The age and experience of the older musicians is prevalent throughout, evident in the steadiness and timing that gives the music so much of its character.
The craftsmanship of this album is remarkable. The diversity of styles is a testament to the musicianship to the group. From the Afro-Cuban Polio to the hard-edged African beats of Avramandole. The production itself was recorded outside, giving the album the feel of a live session.
Staff Benda Bilili roughly translates as 'Look Beyond Appearances'. Their music is a testament to that, in its ability to be so many things at the same time. This is a remarkable debut that will no doubt earn Staff Benda Bilili much deserved attention and respect. --Johnny Lais
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The Guardian, (Robin Denselow), March 20, 2009
(5 stars) One of the most extraordinary albums of the year...gloriously uplifting...their songs are lyrical, thoughtful, remarkably cheerful and occasionally startling.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING album,
This review is from: Tres Tres Fort (MP3 Download)
Forget the Buena Vista Social Club. If you want a heart warming tale of musical success in the face of extreme adversity then buy this CD and listen to the sound of these paraplegic street musicians from Kinshasa, Congo and their rhythm and blues, funk inflected rumba.Recorded out in the open, mainly in the zoological garden in Kinshasa using 12 microphones, a laptop and a 100m mains cable stealing electricity from a deserted bar this album captures the sound of Staff Benda Bilili on their home turf. Comprising of 4 senior singer/guitarists perched on their customised tricycles, a younger rhythm section and 17 year old Roger who uses a unique one stringed electric lute he made himself using a length of electrical wire attached to a small wooden bow and then inserted in a metal dried milk can which he calls a Satonge, this album is raw yet oozes soul, positivity and vibrancy. `Je T'Aime', my personal favourite, takes it's cue from James Brown with it's infectious groove, `sex machine' refrain, Roger's Hendrix like riffing and a soul vocal that makes me want to cry and dance simultaneously. `Polio' is a slow heartfelt, yet amazingly unbitter, appeal to the listening public recommending vaccination against poliomyelitis and coming from a band, half of whom have lost the use of their legs because of the disease, it's a message that carries some serious weight. As with much Rumba music you are never far away from the sound of Cuba which the Congolese musicians of the 50's and 60's reappropriated and this is most evident on the laid back `Sala Keba' as is a love of reggae on the skanking `Sala Mosala'. Mostly the album consists of up-tempo dance numbers designed to make you shake it and that's what I suggest you do whilst giving thanks that you are able to. Global SoulJah
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Authentic Kinshasa,
By
This review is from: Tres Tres Fort (Audio CD)
Especially for anyone who knows Kinshasa and its particular magic this CD will come as pure nostalgia. The music is contemporay African classic and resonates with the atmosphere on the streets of this vast community of les Kinois. The group Staff Benda Billi bring it all back, all that's missing is a glass of Tembo! Hypnotic don't miss it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The heartbeat of Central Africa,
By H. Beentje "Henk Beentje" (Kew, England) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Tres Tres Fort (Audio CD)
This is the music you hear on long taxi-brousse rides through dusty landscapes; the music you hear reverberating through teeming marketplaces; this is the heartbeat of Central Africa, an it is typical of upbeat, rhythmic, slightly Latin-influenced Zairois/Congolese music. It is typical, but at the same time individual by the funny and funky one-string electric lute! Hours after hearing this it stlll playing in your head, giving your walk that extra little beat in your step! Excellent.
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