On this week's Africa O-Yé! we explore the music of Konono No. 1, the Kasai Allstars, and Staff Benda Bilili, street musicians in Kinshasa, DRC who come from different geographical and cultural backgrounds. Belgian producer Vincent Kenis of Crammed Discs has recorded these and other like-minded bands under the umbrella of 'Congotronics'. According to Kenis, "the heavily distorted sounds produced by the DIY amplification of the bands...suggest a link with some extreme forms of experimental rock and electronic dance music." That analogy has greatly widened the listening audience for this music, but at the essence of it all are the deep grooves of the powerful and hypnotic musical traditions of Congo.
- KBOO