Konono No.1: Assume Crash Position
Author: Jane Cornwell
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Pauline Mbuka Nsiala |
Label: |
Crammed |
Magazine Review Date: |
June/2010 |
Catalogue Number: |
CRAW60 |
RecordDate: |
date not stated |
Konono No.1 are one of the more unlikely success stories of recent years, and their star continues to blaze. The multi-generational collective had been going for years when they were ‘discovered’ by Vincent Kenis of Belgium's Crammed Discs. Their distinctive sound – ancient Congolese rhythms played on likembe thumb pianos and used car parts and warped through giant lance-voix speakers – took the trance music-loving West by storm. Their 2005 debut was a slow burner; Konono are now the darlings of rock and world music festivals alike. Björk had them on Volta; they've just given Herbie Hancock's forthcoming album some cacophonous African cred. This sophomore effort, once again helmed by the band's 70-something leader and founder, Mingiedi, finds them deeper and more layered; the addition of electric guitars and bass further extends the links between urban and tribal. Assume Crash Position needs to be played in its entirety, left to build; listeners should start flying halfway in.
Jazzwise Full Club
- Latest print and digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums throughout the year
- Reviews Database access
From £9.08 / month
SubscribeJazzwise Digital Club
- Latest digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
- Reviews Database access