The brilliant band from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo return with an LP inspired by the vibrant nightlife of that city, the titled translated as ‘the night’ in Lingala language, featuring rawer, more electronic sounds and the commanding lead of vocalist Makara Bianko. From the start, we tune into the sounds of cars beeping and street voices on Buto Ezo Ya, which then morph into rhythms, it captures a sense of unfettered fierce partying, from singles Bazo Banga and Mokili, but dig deeper into the night and you’ll discover wilder places where old-school electronic keyboard sounds mixes with more traditional instruments, call-and-response shouts, syncopated and stop-start rhythms. Other key tracks include Motema Mabe, the slower mix of keyboards, drums and tribal calls of Mokolo Likambu, or the meaty sounds and passion of multiple voices of Telema to catchy closer Salaka Bien. A proper African rave up. Out on Transgressive Records.
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