Kasai Allstars
Kasai Allstars are a 25-piece musical collective based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The musicians originally come from five bands, all from the Kasai region, but originating from five different ethnic groups: the Songye, Lulua, Tetela, Luba, and Luntu. Some of these groups have endured conflicting relationships over the centuries, they each have their own culture, their own language and their own musical traditions, which were always thought to be incompatible until these musicians decided to pool their resources and form a "superband", at the instigation of Belgian producer Vincent Kenis[1]
In 2008, they released an album on Crammed Discs entitled In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic, the third in the Congotronics series for the label (which also releases material from the group Konono Nº1). The album was well-received by Western music critics.[2][3][4]
Band line-up
(as it appears on the album In The 7th Moon...):
- Mputu Ebondo 'Mi Amor': lead vocals
- Muambuyi: lead vocals, dancer
- Mbuyamba Nyunyi: lead vocals, bass likembe
- Kabongo Tshisensa: lead vocals, likembe, bass likembe
- Tandjolo: lokole (slit drum), lead vocals
- Tshilumba Muamba 'Baila' and Didi Bafuafua: xylophones
- Tshimanga Muamba: resonator drum
- Kalenga Ditu: likembe (thumb piano)
- Mopero and Niawu: electric guitars
- Kabese Ngandu 'Bondis': vocals, percussion
- Ngalula Ndaye Sylvie, Bosio Tokala Mamie, Yempongo Kadiya,
- Tete Mutungilayi and Kanku Nshinga Wa Buanda: vocals and dancing
- Mpanya Mutombo: lead vocals
- Gaby Nsapo Kilolo: guitar and vocals
Discography
- In the 7th moon, the chief turned into a swimming fish and ate the head of his enemy by magic (2008, Crammed Discs)
- The Congotronics Vinyl Box Set (2010): in April 2010, Crammed Discs have announced the imminent release of a limited edition box set, available only on pre-order and containing vinyl versions of Kasai Allstars' In The 7th Moon.. album, of the Congotronics 2 mulit-artist album, of Konono N°1's Congotronics 1 and Assume Crash Position and Staff Benda Bilili's Très Très Fort. The box set also includes assorted bonuses featuring a 7" single featuring a collaboration between Kasai Allstars and US indie-folk-rock band Akron/Family, as well as videos and mp3s.
[edit]
- Compilation appearances
- Congotronics 2: multi-artist album, including tracks and videos by Kasai Allstars, by its sub-groups Basokin and Masanka Sankayi, by Konono N°1, Bolia We Ndenge, Sobanza Mimanisa, Kisanzi Congo and Tulu. (2005, Crammed Discs).
- Tshileja: original track included in the compilation 20 Ways To Float Through Walls (2007, Crammed Discs).
External links
References
- ^ Kasai Allstars. Phoenix New Times, October 2, 2008.
- ^ Album review, Rolling Stone, October 2, 2008.
- ^ Album review, SPIN, October 2008, p. 110.
- ^ Album review. Pitchfork Media, August 29, 2008.