Here's a link to the "Lufuala Ndonga" music video (off the Congotronics album):
Influences
A dialogue with Konono N°1 founder Mawangu Mingiedi: When did you start Konono N°1? 1965/1966 in Kinshasa. When did you move to Kinshasa? I was born in Angola in 1933 and moved to Kinshasa in 1949. Have you always been a musician or did you have another job when you first moved to Kinshasa? I was a taxi driver before i became a full time musician. Are you married? Do you have children? How many? I have about 20 children, and all the women left me when i did not have any money anymore (big laugh). How long have you been playing the likembe? I've always played the likembe, ever since i was a child in the 30s. At the time, they were made from the stems of palm leaves. Why did you decide to build amplifiers for your instruments? It's god the creator who inspired me to amplify the likembes. What are the amplifiers made from? I started with low frequency radios (6 volts) and i moved on to low frequency radios from cars (12 volts).
Sounds Like
According to the Western press ? "Somewhere between the motorik Kraut-rock repetition of prime Can, a Brazilian carnival and pre-historic acid house (The Word, UK).
"A blend of traditional Bazombo folk with gritty sound distortions that would make Jimi Hendrix proud..." (Newsweek, USA).
"Sounds like no other type of African music... The sophisticated brutality of Konono N°1 leaves permanent traces in the conscience of the listener (Les Inrockuptibles, France).
"Simultaneously evocative of avant-garde rock and electro-acoustic experimentation... areas which are of course totally alien to the members of Konono" (Libération, France).
"They have as much connection with Einstürzende Neubauten as with Tabu Ley... (...) the frenzy and locomotion of prime '70s Miles or a Krautrock jam " (Village Voice).
According to Mingiedi ? "I didn't know there was such a thing as electronic music. I don't borrow from anyone"
Konono N°1 also appear on Congotronics 2, an album (CD+DVD) featuring 6 other bands playing electro-traditional music:
also available from ..
The spectacular Congolese thumb-piano wizards and their overpowering, distorsion-fuelled traditional trance music. The bands home-made sound system, built from old car parts, megaphones and discarded amps creates an absolutely hypnotic sound, an uneasy marriage of tradition and technology, African rhythms with the texture of punk rock and relentless drive of electronic dance music.
Debout Congolais Unis par le sort Unis dans l'effort pour l'indépendance Dressons nos fronts Longtemps courbés Et pour de bon Prenons le plus bel élan Dans la paix
Ô Peuple ardent Par le labeur Nous bâtirons un pays plus beau qu'avant Dans la paix
Citoyens, Entonnez, L'hymne sacré de votre solidarité Fièrement Saluez L'emblème d'or de votre souveraineté Congo
Don béni, Congo Des aïeux, Congo Ô Pays, Congo Bien aimé, Congo
Nous peuplerons ton sol Et nous assurerons ta grandeur
Trente juin, Ô doux soleil Trente juin, du trente juin Jour sacré, sois le témoin Jour sacré de l'immortel serment de liberté Que nous léguons A notre postérité Pour toujours.
FREE single from Mzungu Kichaa. The warrior has recently returned from herding his cattle in maasailand. In his new single he tells his fellow bongoflavians across the world about his accomplishments.
Bonjour Konono Je viens de lire vos mésaventures dans le journal et j'en suis désolé. J'espère que vous trouverez une solution pour faire votre tournée. courage ! h.
Hey what's up just passing by to show some love on your page have a good week n keep in touch.Peace!!! P.S No Payne No Gain!!! myspace.com/philpaynemusic
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