Newly formed Congolese seven-piece band Mbongwana Star releases its debut full-length album, From Kinshasa, on May 19 via World Circuit, distributed in North America by Nonesuch Records; vinyl follows on July 31. The band features members of a new generation of Kinshasa musicians embodying the concept of “mbongwana,” or “change.” Along with Parisian producer Doctor L, the band has created a sound that embodies the “smashed-together” nature of the surroundings from which it was born—fusing traditional Congolese rhythms with European post-punk bass and busted electronics from recycled and reconstructed instruments miked and distorted in unexpected ways. Pre-orders include an instant download of the album track "Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)."
Newly formed Congolese seven-piece band Mbongwana Star releases its debut full-length album, From Kinshasa, on May 19 via World Circuit, distributed in North America by Nonesuch Records; vinyl follows June 9 July 31. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store in North America (and in the World Circuit Shop outside North America) with an instant download of the debut single, "Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)." Thump premiered a brand-new video for the track, which you can watch below; underground music site Boiler Room praises the song for its "eerie postpunk-sounding guitar work, and an altogether unique vibe." In April, the band embarks on a European tour in support of the album.
Mbongwana Star hails from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo—a network of shantytowns and night shelters where founding members Coco Ngambali and Theo Nzonza (of Staff Benda Bilili fame) pulled together members of a new generation of Kinshasa musicians embodying the concept of “mbongwana,” or “change.” Along with maverick Parisian producer Doctor L (Tony Allen, Stomy Bugsy), the band has created a sound that embodies the “smashed-together” nature of the surroundings from which it was born—a sound that fuses traditional Congolese rhythms with European post-punk bass and busted electronics from recycled and reconstructed instruments miked and distorted in unexpected ways.
Of the recording sessions Doctor L (who also plays on and mixed the album) notes, “It’s all recorded in the red. Sometimes I over-boost mikes that are recording nothing, just to pick up the environment. Can you hear it? There are three TVs going full blast. Distortion multiplies the energy.”
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