Konono No.1's "Congotronics" album introduced the world to the strange and spectacular electro-traditional mixtures which are being concocted in the suburbs of Kinshasa, Congo. World music, electronica and avant-rock aficionados have all been equally amazed by this otherworldly music, which has driven the international press to come up with some surprising comparisons (from Can and Krautrock to Jimi Hendrix, Lee Perry and proto-techno!...).
The band was founded back in the 1960s by Mingiedi Mawangu, a virtuoso of the likembé (a traditional instrument sometimes called "sanza" or "thumb piano", consisting of ...
Konono No.1 win Grammy, tour Europe
The award for "Best Pop Collaboration" went to 'Imagine' by Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Konono No.1, Seal, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
After being nominated for a Grammy with the "Live at Couleur Café" album (2007), Konono No.1 have just won an award with this track excerpted from Herbie Hancock's latest album, "The Imagine Project", on which the jazz luminary invited artists from various parts of the world to collaborate. See the video here.
The other contenders in the "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" (category 8) included tracks featuring Eminem, Elton John & Leon Russel, Lady Gaga & Beyoncé, Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg.
Totally surreal, isn't it ?....
Konono No.1 are now embarking upon a European tour which starts on Feb.23 in Prague and ends on March 25 in Bergen (NO), after visiting Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. See the dates here.
Konono will then be working on the "Congotronics vs Rockers" live project, the superband also featuring Deerhoof, Kasai Allstars, Juana Molina, Wildbirds & Peacedrums and Skeletons, which will perform at major festivals and venues around Europe and Japan in May, June & July 2011.
