Thank God for The Wire magazine, which covers so much music that might otherwise fall under the radar. This latest edition’s cover star is Papa Mingiedi Mawangu from Konono No.1. The band hail from Kinshasa, the capital of the Congo, and the article in The Wire focuses on the band arnd their music, and how it is perceived in the Congo. Not always sympathetically, as it transpires: one artist who is interviewed in The Wire, Mi Amore, states that ‘The Church demonises our traditions as satanic. All those who would have played traditional music are now in the church writing hymns.’ The Congotronics music is traditional, but not necessarily being revered in its’ homeland.

The music is that of amplified thumb pianos, called likembe, and drums, as well as singing that is amongst the most frantic I have ever heard. The group have collaborated with the likes of Bjork, the Ex and and the Dead C. Their album Conogtronics 4 (AKA Assume Crash Position) will be released next month. Their appearances this year include All Tomorrow’s Parties.

Their song ‘Lufuala Ndonga’ is seen as their signature tune, and the ‘tough love lyrics’ (The Wire’s description) imparts wisdom to those who listen.

Check it out for yourself – and let me know what you think…

Konono No. 1 -‘Lufuala Ndonga.’ mp3

Konono No.1 website/Konono No.1 myspace

Konono No.1’s new album Assume Crash Position will be released in May