The second disc in the
Crammed label's
Congotronics series improves on the first one in two ways: first, by presenting a variety of bands, each of which blends urban and rural Congolese music styles in a slightly different way; and second, by adding to the package a 41-minute DVD that shows six of the featured bands during their recording sessions. Many of the groups featured here make use of the same drenchingly overamplified likembes (or thumb pianos) that are favored by
Konono No. 1, but instrumentations vary:
Basokin, an ensemble that hails from the Songye region of Congo, is comprised of three singers, three percussionists, and two guitarists;
Bolia We Ndenge is a percussion-heavy group, but its sound is centered on the accordion;
Masanki Sankayi is led by a preacher and storyteller. As with the first
Congotronics album, this one is difficult to describe to anyone who hasn't heard the music firsthand. Sometimes the guitars spin out contrapuntal lines that wouldn't sound out of place in a Ghanaian high-life song; at other times they chomp out power chords in a very un-African style. The likembes are overamplified as a matter of course, and the resulting distorted sound is strangely spongy and soft. But the vocals are the most impressive aspect of most of these recordings -- four- and five-part harmonies ebb and flow like gentle waves among the rocks of the percussion and guitar parts, and at times are hair-raisingly beautiful. The footage of the recording sessions is a must-see. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson
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