| Details / Tracklist: |
 01. "Lufuala Ndonga" 02. "Masikulu" 03. "Kule Kule" 04. "Ungudi Wele Wele" 05. "Paradiso" 06. "Kule Kule (Reprise)" 07. "Mama Liza"
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| Description: | Congotronics by Konono No.1, released 25 July 2005, includes the following tracks: "Kule Kule", "Paradiso", "Mama Liza" and more.
This version of Congotronics comes as a 1xCD. - Recorded in Halle de la Gombe, Kinshasa, Congo, except track 5 recorded live at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.
Mixed in Hotel Matonge, Kinshasa, Congo, and Studio XXL, Brussels.
Thanks to Jean-Michel Champault, Stéphanie Suffren, Samy Lubaki Malanda & Tony Van der Eecken.
All compositions published by Les Editions de la Bascule/Strictly Confidential.
(p) 2004 Crammed Discs
(c) 2004 Crammed Discs
Made in the EU.
Released in a six panel digipak.
"Congotronics" is a groundbreaking CD by Konono No1, released on the adventurous label Crammed Discs. Recorded in Kinshasa, this album captures the raw, electrified sound of traditional Congolese likembe (thumb pianos) driven through handmade amplification, overdriven speakers, and hypnotic percussion. The result is an ecstatic, distorted trance groove that feels at once ancestral and radically modern, blurring the lines between traditional African music, experimental noise, and leftfield dance. Each track unfolds in long, polyrhythmic waves, built on repetitive riffs, call-and-response vocals and an almost ritualistic energy, making "Congotronics" as suitable for close listening as it is for late-night dance floors and experimental playlists. This CD edition presents the music with powerful, detailed sound, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the dense overtones, metallic buzz and joyous crowd atmosphere that made the recordings legendary among fans of global and experimental music.
Konono No1 are pioneers of a unique urban style that grew out of street performances in Kinshasa. Led by founder Mawangu Mingiedi (not elaborated here beyond what is commonly associated with the group's origins), the band became internationally known for turning likembes into electrified, feedback-rich instruments, using salvaged car parts and old amps to project their sound to huge outdoor audiences. Through albums like "Congotronics" and their relentlessly energetic live shows, they built a cult following in the worlds of world music, electronic, and alternative rock, inspiring collaborations and remixes across genres. Their music has been praised for its originality, its visceral drive, and its role in reshaping how global audiences perceive contemporary African sounds.
Crammed Discs, the label behind "Congotronics", is widely recognized for its commitment to adventurous, genre-defying music from around the world. Based in Europe, the label has long championed artists who sit at the intersection of tradition and innovation, especially in African, Latin, and experimental scenes. With its "Congotronics" series, Crammed Discs helped bring the electrified street sounds of Kinshasa to a broad international audience, supporting long-term artistic development rather than one-off releases. Their carefully curated catalog, high-quality productions, and attention to visual and editorial detail have earned them a loyal following among listeners seeking discoveries beyond the mainstream. |
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| Manufacturer No.: |
CRAW 27 |
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Product Safety
Responsible Person for the EU:
Ten Dance Media GmbH
Wolfener Straße 32-34, 12681 Berlin, DE
gpsr@tendance.de |
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World Music
19.557
- Africa 708- Arabia 176- Asia 2.701- New Age/Meditation 157- South Sea 68- Worldbeat 15.747
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