Konono N°1
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Konono N°1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard. The group's amplification equipment is equally rudimentary, including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator and a gigantic horn-shaped amplifier. The group achieved international renown beginning in 2005, with its DIY aesthetic appealing to many fans of rock and electronic music.
The group's full name, as seen on the banner in its music video, is L'orchestre folklorique T.P. Konono N°1 de Mingiedi"; "T.P." (short for tout puissant, or "all powerful") is an homage to the band of the legendary Congolese musician Franco, which was called T.P. OK Jazz. It was formed by Mawangu Mingiedi, a likembé player and truck driver now in his 70s. Mingiedi is a member of the Zombo (or Bazombo) ethnic group, whose homeland is located near the border with Angola. He adapted for his likembé ensemble Zombo ritual music that was originally played by an ensemble of horns made from elephant tusks.
Dates for the group's formation vary: Crammed Discs, who released Konono N°1's Congotronics album in 2005, places the group's formation around 1980. However, the group was in existence at least as early as 1978; in November 1978, an ensemble called Orchestre Tout Puissant Likembe Konono N°1 (All-Powerful Likembe Orchestra Konono N°1) recorded one track, "Mungua-Muanga," for the compilation album Zaire: Musiques Urbaines a Kinshasa. The group has exerted an influence on many other Congolese popular musicians and groups.[1]
The group has achieved some renown in North America and Europe, and has toured both places. The Dutch rock band The Ex has covered one of their songs.
The group recently finished collaborating with Björk on her new studio album, Volta. They will also accompany her on her promotional tour for the album.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
- Zaire: Musiques Urbaines a Kinshasa, Ocora 559007 (compilation; recorded 1978, released 1987)
- Lubuaku, Terp AS09 (2004)
- Congotronics, Crammed Discs 27 (2005)
[edit] External links
- Konono N°1 at Crammed Discs
- Detailed article
- Review of November 17, 2005 show at SOB's, New York by Andrew Phillips, PopMatters.com, December 9, 2005
- "'Assume crash position' That's how Congo punk-meets-techno band Konono No 1 translate their name. It couldn't be more appropriate" by Alexis Petridis. The Guardian, April 4, 2006.
- Review: Konono No. 1, Congotronics BBC World site. Retrieved April 4, 2005.
- Makeshift and Polished: Konono No. 1. World Cafe from WXPN. National Public Radio.
- Honolulu Advertiser November 2005 Review.
[edit] Listening
- Story from NPR Weekend Edition radio program, June 18, 2006
[edit] Video
- Konono promotional video from Crammed Discs site
