Konono n°1 — Lubuaku (Live in Vera)
Three years ago, Blur’s Damon Albarn released on his label a compilation of Malian music. All of a sudden, people were praising the musicians of this country who were subsequently given more exposure, and you could read articles about how Mali was the place were everything was happening music-wise, a sort of African Athens for “world” sounds.
As great as Malian musicians can be, I wouldn’t say they are the alpha and omega of Africa. All over the continent, in every single country, you will hear music that will blow your mind. Be it relatively big names –certainly bigger than the majority of local artists; nothing close to the popularity of N’Dour, though- and personal favourites like Bonga, Ray Lema or Pierre Akendengue or villages’ musicians, music is everywhere.
My father was born in Congo and most of my childhood was spent hearing African music. We have three or four likembes (thumb-piano) in the house. So when I first heard Konono n°1, it didn’t seem weird or exotic, it just felt absolutely right.
Based on traditional music from a Congolese tribe living at the Angolese border, Konono’s music is actually far more urban. They are a sort of Kinshasa street orchestra, with three likembes, various kinds of percussions, a couple of singers and dancers. It is reported that, originally acoustic, they had to do a “Dylan” and turn electric to make themselves heard in the constant rumble that assaults your ears in Kinshasa’s streets. They’ve been around for 25 years and first came to play in Europe two years ago. Since then, Crammed Disc released an album, Fat cat a single and they’ve played numerous concerts, including one in Brussel’s Palais des Beaux Arts for this year’s Belgian national day.
The Ex’s Terp records have just released this live recording of their first ever European concert, in February 2003, opening for the Hollandese post-punk band. They took everyone by surprise. The extremely repetitive quality of the music shouldn’t surprise anyone a tad familiar with African music. Good thing is that you actually don’t get bored: it’s music that is likely to put you in trance and get you dancing for hours like there was no tomorrow. The most surprising is actually the sound of the electrified likembe. It sounds like a guitar without sounding like a guitar, it has a unique sound.
The Crammed Disc album is probably better to get acquainted with Konono, and seeing them live proper is even better than listening to a live album. The sound here is a bit raw, which suits them fine. It gives you an idea of the energy, but it’s never gonna be the same as witnessing the real thing. Anyway, a good record from a fantastic band. Now start dancing!