From Kinshasa
World
| Nov 2015
Reviews
BravoMarco
Reviewed 2015-11-28
Reviewed 2015-11-28
Mbongwana Star
From Kinshasa
Reviewed by BravoMarco
A collaboration of sounds & styles from Mbongwana Star. Formed in the Democratic Republic of Conga by two ex members of Staff Benda Bilili, they have created a tense, hypnotic sound that has it’s roots more in dark electronica, (with industrial punkiness elements thrown in) than the rumba, happy folk tracks they were once more famous for. This is altogether deeper, still has plenty of funk on offer & with that special blend of dub & trance influences, all combining for a truly exceptional sound.
All good: Loving 3,8
Similar: The Idan Raichel Project (for it’s uniqueness, vibrancy & feel) On U Sound-esque, Congolese instrumentation.
No FCC’s (No English lyrics)
1) From Kinshasa To The Moon (2.25) Spacey underbelly mixed in with the traditional., in this mid paced opener.
2) Shegue (5.17) Head nodder with that Talking Heads feel going on.
3) Nganshe (6.15) Infectious fast paced beat & speech.
4) Masobele (3.53) More rugged urban energy, mid paced. Acapella to finish.
5) Coco Blues (5.41) Slowing it right down, keeping it simple & true.
6) Malukayi Featuring Konoko No.1 (6.02) Upbeat percussion leading into a spacey repetitive sound. Full of vocal effects & cowbells…
7) Suzanna (4.34) Hard pulse under a poppier style of track.
8) Kimpala (4.30) Slow paced lush-dreaminess. Psych elements that shine so bright.
9) Kala (4.06) All over the place this one. Blips & mad synth play, vie with the brooding beat.
10) 1 Million C’est Quoi! (5.05) A more traditional flavour. Mid paced driving beat with hard working guitars.
From Kinshasa
Reviewed by BravoMarco
A collaboration of sounds & styles from Mbongwana Star. Formed in the Democratic Republic of Conga by two ex members of Staff Benda Bilili, they have created a tense, hypnotic sound that has it’s roots more in dark electronica, (with industrial punkiness elements thrown in) than the rumba, happy folk tracks they were once more famous for. This is altogether deeper, still has plenty of funk on offer & with that special blend of dub & trance influences, all combining for a truly exceptional sound.
All good: Loving 3,8
Similar: The Idan Raichel Project (for it’s uniqueness, vibrancy & feel) On U Sound-esque, Congolese instrumentation.
No FCC’s (No English lyrics)
1) From Kinshasa To The Moon (2.25) Spacey underbelly mixed in with the traditional., in this mid paced opener.
2) Shegue (5.17) Head nodder with that Talking Heads feel going on.
3) Nganshe (6.15) Infectious fast paced beat & speech.
4) Masobele (3.53) More rugged urban energy, mid paced. Acapella to finish.
5) Coco Blues (5.41) Slowing it right down, keeping it simple & true.
6) Malukayi Featuring Konoko No.1 (6.02) Upbeat percussion leading into a spacey repetitive sound. Full of vocal effects & cowbells…
7) Suzanna (4.34) Hard pulse under a poppier style of track.
8) Kimpala (4.30) Slow paced lush-dreaminess. Psych elements that shine so bright.
9) Kala (4.06) All over the place this one. Blips & mad synth play, vie with the brooding beat.
10) 1 Million C’est Quoi! (5.05) A more traditional flavour. Mid paced driving beat with hard working guitars.
Recent airplay
Malukayi
Well Mixed — Nov 15, 2022
Nganshe
Music Casserole (rebroadcast from Dec 26, 2015) — Oct 30, 2021
Malukayi
The Intercept — Oct 14, 2016
Malukayi
Lullabies #2 — Apr 18, 2016
Malukayi
Music Casserole — Feb 06, 2016
Kimpala Pala
BravoMarco Variety Show — Feb 06, 2016
Charting
2015-12-06 — 2016-02-07
Reggae/World
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Feb 7 | 6 |
| Jan 31 | 3 |
| Jan 24 | 2 |
| Jan 17 | 4 |
| Jan 10 | 1 |
| Dec 27 | 2 |
| Dec 20 | 1 |
| Dec 13 | 3 |
Track listing
| 1. | From Kinshasa To The Moon | ||
| 2. | Shegue | ||
| 3. | Nganshe | ||
| 4. | Masobele | ||
| 5. | Coco Blues | ||
| 6. | Malukayi | ||
| 7. | Suzanna | ||
| 8. | Kimpala Pala | ||
| 9. | Kala | ||
| 10. | 1 Million C?Est Quoi? |