- Audio CD (30 Mar 2010)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Wagram
- ASIN: B002R7SDEE
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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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
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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.
(5 stars) The music is fantastic...creativity and skill in adverse circumstances...This is an essential purchase.
(4 stars) The funkier interludes exude irresistible physicality, whilst a cluster of lovelorn laments lacerate the heartstrings.
(5 stars) The music is fantastic...creativity and skill in adverse circumstances...This is an essential purchase.
(4 stars) The funkier interludes exude irresistible physicality, whilst a cluster of lovelorn laments lacerate the heartstrings.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
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
Format: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
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a avoir
ce disque c'est de la bombe, regardez le docuemntaire et achetez le cd les yeux fermés. je suis allé a Kinshasa et c'est ca, Kin la poubelle. Read more
Published 2 months ago by fanche
Infectiously Brilliant Music
This album is just brilliant, the songs are really catchy and danceable, and I'd highly recommend the film about these guys too.
Published 5 months ago by Brigid
What a treat !!!! Absolutely brilliant!
What a treat this film is! If you like music you sure will enjoy this film! We first discovered it at a film festival and it got standing ovations!!! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cedric
Benda Bilili - Trers Tres Fort
Staff Benda Bilili are fantstic! Watch the documentary then buy the CD. The blurb on their myspace says it all.
Published 11 months ago by Mr. Brendan E. Maher
Fantastic album but not quite as expected
Bought this after seeing them on Jools Holland, album/music is fantastic and artists are real characters! Read more
Published 11 months ago by T. Austen
Great CD even better DVD.
The music stands on its own but watching the movie adds more. The monochord player, Roger, is for me the star in a band of allstars. Read more
Published 12 months ago by ANITA
Triumphant !
The Staff Benda Bilili Film was a truly heart warming story that restores faith in humanities ability to triumph over extreme poverty and adversity. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Spiderpig
Uplifting music
Having seen a documentary on Africa with Still Ben Bellisi featured, I thought I would track down their music and once again found it through Amazon. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Douglas Broadhurst
Tres tres puissant!
Superb, inspiring, funky, original (to me anyway - don't know enough about congolese music to compare) and raw & great musicianship. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by blegton
Staff Benda Bilili
Vibrant African sounds, lovely rhythyms, catchy tunes, worthy cause as the artists are all disabled. The single string lute playing is the high note!
Published on 29 April 2009 by Boudicca
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