Kasai Allstars is a collective which regoups members from several other bands, including Masanka Sankayi and Basokin. They all originate from Kasai (a Congolese province of the size of France), but come from very diverse musical traditions, such as the Luba and the Lulua, which were thought to be incompatible until these musicians decide to put their resources together and form this "supergroup".
After recording several tracks for the Congotronics 2 album ("Buzz'n'Rumble from the Urb'n'Jungle"), Kasai Allstars went on to record and release the ...
KASAI ALLSTARS
A music video to announce new album
‘Olooh, A War Dance For Peace’ heralds the release of the first album in four years by the mighty collective from the DRC Congo. Shot outside of Kinshasa and directed by Patrick Zoom, the video (and the song) refers to an ancestral custom in certain villages: when a problem occurs between some inhabitants, they look for a peaceful solution by performing a specific war dance, bearing weapons in their hands. It's a dance which used to signal the end of hostilities, and serves nowadays to solve conflicts.
Titled 'Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound’, the album sees Kasai Allstars enhance their exhilarating trance music by blending in some intricate, self-made electronics beats with their customary array of guitars, traditional percussion, distorted thumb pianos etc.
The album was produced by Allstars guitarist Mopero Mupemba, who also wrote half of the songs, including ‘Olooh’, featuring wonderful singer Bijou, who recently joined the band and shares vocal duties with the band’s mainstays, Muambuyi, Kabongo, Mi Amor and Tandjolo.
'Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound’ comes out on May 7, on Crammed Discs
Contains videos & live footage, free mp3s & streams, pictures, press quotes & clippings, and maybe even personal contributions from the artist.