The third in Crammed Discs genre-defying Congotronics series, and whilst they may not be the snappiest with album titles, there’s no denying that Kasai Allstars are indeed all stars, made up of 25 musicians from six different bands, representing different ethnic groups within the Kasai region of DR Congo. Musically, it sounds like little else; soulful, raw, sophisticated funk, distorted to sound both familiar and unfamiliar, like the power of Afro-funk amplified back via satellite in someone else’s head. The songs themselves mostly draw from traditional rituals and festivals, however, the combination of different vocalists, electric guitars, complex rhythms, driven thumb-pianos and genuine musicianship creates an irresistable trance-like vibe, the energy just flowing throughout. Easy to hear why so many artists are keen to reference this series in their own work – amazing sounds.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: DARREN WALL
