Konono N°1

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Konono N°1


Img_capt = Konono N°1 performing in May 2007
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genre = Bazombo trance music
Years_active = 1970s-present
Label = Crammed Discs
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.crammed.be/konono/ Official Site]
Current_members = Mawangu Mingiedi Mawangu Makuntima
Dodika Kungu
Lulendo Arumba
Nzimbu Kuavita
Kanda Mateta
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = Electric likembé, Lance-voix

Konono N°1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric "likembé" (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard. The group's amplification equipment is equally rudimentary, including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator and a gigantic horn-shaped amplifier. The group achieved international renown beginning in 2005, with its DIY aesthetic appealing to many fans of rock and electronic music. They played this same year at the Eurockéennes festival in France.

History

The group's full name, as seen on the banner in its music video, is L'orchestre folklorique T.P. Konono N°1 de Mingiedi"; "T.P." (short for "tout puissant", or "all powerful") is an homage to the band of the legendary Congolese musician Franco, which was called T.P. OK Jazz. It was formed by Mawangu Mingiedi, a "likembé" player and truck driver now in his 70s. Mingiedi is a member of the Zombo (or Bazombo) ethnic group, whose homeland is located near the border with Angola. He adapted for his "likembé" ensemble Zombo ritual music that was originally played by an ensemble of horns made from elephant tusks.

Dates for the group's formation vary: Crammed Discs, who released Konono N°1's "Congotronics" album in 2005, places the group's formation in the 1970s. The group was in existence at least as early as 1978; in November 1978, an ensemble called Orchestre Tout Puissant Likembe Konono N°1 (All-Powerful Likembe Orchestra Konono N°1) recorded one track, "Mungua-Muanga," for the compilation album "Zaire: Musiques Urbaines a Kinshasa". The group has exerted an influence on many other Congolese popular musicians and groups. [http://www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/596/The+Congotronics+Story]

The group has achieved some renown in North America and Europe, and has toured both places. The Dutch rock band The Ex has covered one of their songs.

The group recently finished collaborating with Björk on the song "Earth Intruders" from her studio album, "Volta". They will also accompany her on her promotional tour for the album.

Discography

*"Zaire: Musiques Urbaines a Kinshasa", Ocora 559007 (compilation; recorded 1978, released 1987)
*"Lubuaku", Terp AS09 (2004)
*"Congotronics", Crammed Discs 27 (2005)
*"Live at Couleur Café", Crammed Discs (2007)

External links

* [http://www.crammed.be/konono/ Konono N°1] at Crammed Discs
* [http://www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/596/The+Congotronics+Story Detailed article]
* [http://www.popmatters.com/music/concerts/k/konono-no1-051117.shtml Review of November 17, 2005 show at SOB's, New York] by Andrew Phillips, PopMatters.com, December 9, 2005
* [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1746359,00.html "'Assume crash position' That's how Congo punk-meets-techno band Konono No 1 translate their name. It couldn't be more appropriate"] by Alexis Petridis. "The Guardian", April 4, 2006.
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/world/reviews/kononono1_congotronics.shtml Review: Konono No. 1, Congotronics] BBC World site. Retrieved April 4, 2005.
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5150198 Makeshift and Polished: Konono No. 1] . World Cafe from WXPN. National Public Radio.
* [http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051125/ENT03/511250321/1129/ENT Honolulu Advertiser] November 2005 Review.

Listening

* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5488675 Story from NPR "Weekend Edition" radio program] , June 18, 2006

Video

* [http://www.crammed.be/craworld/movies/konono_promo.htm Konono promotional video] from Crammed Discs site

ee also

*Music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo