Congotronics

West African trance music from the Congo. The story from what I understand is that this group lives on the Congolese/Angolan border and has its base in the music from the Bozombo people (which I’ve never heard). At the center of this group are 3 amplified (yes amplified!) likembe (thumb piano/mbira), call and response vocals, and building trance inducing percussion. The amplified likembe sound AMAZING and give this a VERY unique sound. Throw in some bullhorn vocals, whistles, and riffs, yes riffs and you have a wonderful sound.
**1. Call and response vocals are the center of this track. Snare drums, a few whistles and very danceable. The likembe takes somewhat of a back seat on this track but they are more prominent after the first 3 minutes.
2. Faster percussion and a much more obvious likembe riff. The riff does not stick around for long. The last minute of the track is an intense jam.
**3. Fade in of just likembe. This is the riff that The Ex uses on their track Konono. The interaction between the three likembe is wonderful. No vocals or much of anything else other than the likembe.
4. This track has the same intro as track 2. Faster track with not just quicker snare drum but quicker lukembe playing. This is very similar to track 2.
**5.Wow. Playful lukembe solo intro. Very improvised rock sounding. Swirling likembe riffs that go for the whole track. Instrumental.
**6. Reprise to track 3, which has no percussion, quieter version of the riff, and more sung vocals.
7. Long, trance track with lots of group vocals and more percussion other than the snare. This track never lets up.
AMAZING Stuff. -mph