Kinshasa 1978

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The music later known as Congotronics first a[peared in 1988 on the Zaïre: Musiques Urbaines à Kinshasa album. At that point, however, the tracks had been in the can for a decade. THirty years further down the track, this release comprises previously-unreleased original recordings from those 1978 sessions, as well as reconstructions by French producer Martin Meissonnier 

Hughesy's assessment: Sure, they go on a bit, and some of us have reached the stage where we're not inclined to get down and boogie on an extended basis. But there's something infectious about the beat, and it works quite acceptably in these parts at volumes significantly lower than you'd find in this music's natural environment. Regardless of issues with length (mileage will vary in that department) Significant in a historical sense; Danceable if you've got the groove, and definitely Interesting.

Track listing:Sankayi: Il ne faut pas intervenir (Martin Meissonnier reconstruction); Konono N°1: Roots of K (Martin Meissonnier reconstruction); Orchestre Bambala: Animation Kifuti (Martin Meissonnier reconstruction); Orchestre Bana Luya: Animation (Martin Meissonnier remix); Konono N°1: Kin 78 One; Orchestre Bana Luya: Kin 78 Two; Orchestre Bambala: Kin 78 Three; Sankayi: Kin 78 Four

Highlights: 

Skip: Anything that's gone on long enough in the listener's opinion. It's your call, after all.

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© Ian Hughes 2015