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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first seriously fresh record of 2005 (and any year), 23 Mar 2005
So here at last is a record which has woken me up from the musical slumber that is 2005 so far. But to be honest, even in better musical times this record would shine. Konono No 1 are a group from Kinshasa in the Congos. Just hearing about this group's history is fascinating: formed 25 years ago, the group draws its influences from Bazombo trance music, using thumb pianos, chants and just about any (and I mean any) form of percussion available to create a dark funk of ancestral music. Having moved from the bush of the Congos to the noisy capital, the group created their own soundsystem so that their message could be heard loud and clear amongst the city bustle. Although the group originally disliked the noisy distortion of the amps, they are now an integral part of their sound. This music is distorted, noisy and utterly hypnotising. The thumb piano and the various percussion coming through the amps takes on a sound that is completely urban. You can imagine these guys sitting on a city street gathering people around as their music lulls them in before shaking them firmly by the feet. Meanwhile, the ancestral roots of their music lies clear beneath it in the melodies and chants. This is at times disturbing and otherworldy, and at others quite sunny and upbeat, but at all times this remains freakily funky and energetic music. I am concerned that a reader will think I am talking about another quaint, faintly "modernised" world music album to be heard by white women who wear saris and smell strongly of patchouli oil. Forget it, the percolating hiss and grumble of the percussions and chants of this record have a spirit more akin to electronica or Steve Reich's experiments with microphones than anything off Peter Gabriel's Real World label. If you could imagine Plaid recording an album in Africa you're halfway there. But it is ultimately difficult to provide a single reference point for music which is so innovative; and which is as much a product of its unique origins in ancient and modern african music as of its musicians' serious talent. The most important thing to say about this record is that it is extremely enjoyable in terms of its innovation and its ability to make you dance. If you have an open mind and want to hear some true street funk, then this has a lot to offer you. (Whatever you do though, please dont download it illegally, its hardly ethical to rip off from guys who didnt have the money to buy their own amps!)
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~ Various Artists
~ Konono No.1
~ Mulatu Astatke and the Heliocentrics
~ Staff Benda Bilili
