Konono No.1

The gift of unique Instruments conjure sounds that give regional identities vitality and longevity.

A couple of years ago, I was first introduced to the rich textures and intricate rhythms from Konono No.1. Originally from the Bacongo region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola they eventually settled in Kinshasa, where they produced the band's debut album Congotronics. Released in 2004 this work garnered international acclaim. The group was formed in 1966 by Mingiedi Mawangu, who adapted Zombo ritual music. In the 1970’s, the group was called Orchestre Tout Puissant Likembe Konono Nº1 (OR “All-Powerful Likembe Orchestra Konono Nº1”). Their recordings of that period influenced many other musicians in the Congo region and continue to nurture future generations of sound and electronic artists across the world.

By introducing make-shift instruments like the likembé, Konono No. 1 creates hypnotic sounds filled with energy. One gets a sense of how the various parts of the band come together to weave the vast tapestries that make up their discography. The likembé (sometimes called a thumb piano or sanza) is made up of metal strips attached to a resonator. The word, loosely translated in Swahili, means “Little Mother Song.” The plucked metal strips of the likembé give a full range of sounds when the resonator sizes are increased or decreased and are often made from salvaged parts.2 This attention paid to materials and their unique qualities help set their music apart from other artists when combined with vocals and other found objects that become integrated into their work. Stylistically the music is located between experimental electronic Avant-rock and trance that combines dance and multi-textural historical references.3 In one of their compositions, from the Boiler Room in Stereo website, they combine unique abstract background video to work in tandem with the music and incredible harmonic melodies that seem to intertwine with the forward momentum of the song.

Their long lineage as a band has been fraught with some setbacks over the years but the thing I admire most about its members is that they don’t see age as any kind of barrier and their sounds have always remained fresh by this inclusion.4

In 2006 the band won the Newcomer Award from the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music.[5] Konono Nº1's album Live At Couleur Café was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008. In an interesting twist (to the first writing I did in the blog) Konono Nº1 collaborated with Björk on the song "Earth Intruders" from her studio album, Volta.5

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congotronics

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikembe

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konono_N%C2%BA1

4. https://pitchfork.com/news/konono-n1s-augustin-mawangu-mingiedi-dead-at-56/

5. https://www.npr.org/2007/05/05/9872952/bjork-and-konono-no-1-in-concert