Kasai Allstars
Encyclopedia
Kasai Allstars are a 25-piece musical collective based in Kinshasa
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
. The musicians originally come from five bands, all from the Kasai region, but originating from five different ethnic groups: the Songye
, Lulua, Tetela
, Luba
, and Luntu. Some of these groups have endured conflicting relationships over the centuries, they each have their own culture, their own language and their own musical traditions, which were always thought to be incompatible until these musicians decided to pool their resources and form a "superband", at the instigation of Belgian
producer
Vincent Kenis
In 2008, they released an album on Crammed Discs
entitled In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic, the third in the Congotronics
series for the label (which also releases material from the group Konono Nº1). The album was well-received by Western music critics.
[edit]
Compilation appearances
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
. The musicians originally come from five bands, all from the Kasai region, but originating from five different ethnic groups: the Songye
Songye
The Songye people are an ethnic group of the Democratic Republic of Congo , living in the Kasai-Oriental province along both sides of the Lualaba River. In 1985 it was estimated that the Songye numbered between 150,000 and 217,000. The Songye are divided into sub-groupings that are under the...
, Lulua, Tetela
Tetela
Tetela may refer to: Democratic Republic of the Congo:*Tetela people*Tetela language Mexico:*Tetela del Volcán, Morelos*Tetela, Oaxaca*Tetela de Ocampo, Puebla*Tetela de Xonotla, Puebla*Los Ángeles Tetela, Puebla...
, Luba
Luba
Luba may refer to:*Slavic origin feminine name which means "someone who has love"*Luba, Equatorial Guinea*Luba, Abra, a municipality in the Philippines*Ľubá, a village and municipality in the Nitra region of south-west Slovakia...
, and Luntu. Some of these groups have endured conflicting relationships over the centuries, they each have their own culture, their own language and their own musical traditions, which were always thought to be incompatible until these musicians decided to pool their resources and form a "superband", at the instigation of Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Vincent Kenis
Vincent Kenis
Vincent Kenis is a Belgian musician and record producer. He was a member of the avant-garde group Aksak Maboul and of The Honeymoon Killers, an experimental rock band...
In 2008, they released an album on Crammed Discs
Crammed Discs
Crammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
entitled In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic, the third in the Congotronics
Congotronics
Congotronics is the official debut album by Konono Nº1. It was released in 2004. by Crammed Discs. It has won the band massive favour in the dance and alternative rock scenes as well as in world music circles and in the North American and European media....
series for the label (which also releases material from the group Konono Nº1). The album was well-received by Western music critics.
Band line-up
(as it appears on the album In The 7th Moon...):- Mputu Ebondo 'Mi Amor': lead vocals
- Muambuyi: lead vocals, dancer
- Mbuyamba Nyunyi: lead vocals, bass likembe
- Kabongo Tshisensa: lead vocals, likembe, bass likembe
- Tandjolo: lokole (slit drum), lead vocals
- Tshilumba Muamba 'Baila' and Didi Bafuafua: xylophones
- Tshimanga Muamba: resonator drum
- Kalenga Ditu: likembe (thumb piano)
- Mopero and Niawu: electric guitars
- Kabese Ngandu 'Bondis': vocals, percussion
- Ngalula Ndaye Sylvie, Bosio Tokala Mamie, Yempongo Kadiya,
- Tete Mutungilayi and Kanku Nshinga Wa Buanda: vocals and dancing
- Mpanya Mutombo: lead vocals
- Gaby Nsapo Kilolo: guitar and vocals
Discography
- In the 7th moon, the chief turned into a swimming fish and ate the head of his enemy by magic (2008, Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
)
- The Congotronics Vinyl Box Set (2010): in April 2010, Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
have announced the imminent release of a limited edition box set, available only on pre-order and containing vinyl versions of Kasai Allstars' In The 7th Moon.. album, of the Congotronics 2 mulit-artist album, of Konono N°1Konono N°1Konono Nº1 is a Grammy nominated musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard...
's Congotronics 1 and Assume Crash Position and Staff Benda BililiStaff Benda BililiStaff Benda Bilili are a group of street musicians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They live around the grounds of the zoo in the countries capital city, Kinshasa, and play music which is rooted in rumba, with elements of old-school rhythm 'n' blues and reggae...
's Très Très Fort. The box set also includes assorted bonuses featuring a 7" single featuring a collaboration between Kasai Allstars and US indie-folk-rock band Akron/FamilyAkron/FamilyAkron/Family is a folk-influenced experimental rock band that formed in 2002, and its members currently live in Portland, Oregon , Tucson, Arizona and New York City, New York.-Music and history:...
, as well as videos and mp3s.
[edit]
Compilation appearances
- Congotronics 2: multi-artist album, including tracks and videos by Kasai Allstars, by its sub-groups Basokin and Masanka Sankayi, by Konono N°1Konono N°1Konono Nº1 is a Grammy nominated musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard...
, Bolia We Ndenge, Sobanza Mimanisa, Kisanzi Congo and Tulu. (2005, Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
). - Tshileja: original track included in the compilation 20 Ways To Float Through Walls (2007, Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
).
External links
- http://crammed.be.dd5126.kasserver.com/index.php?id=34&art_id=73Kasai Allstars pages on the Crammed DiscsCrammed DiscsCrammed Discs is an independent record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica. Based in Brussels, Belgium, Crammed was founded in 1980 by Marc Hollander of Aksak Maboul and has since released over 300 albums and 250 singles, working with artists from all over the world...
site] - Mpofu video
- Vidéo Wa Muluendu video