I’ve always i
nsisted that in this music era, stepping out of your comfort zone musically is the only way to find and enjoy other great music out there. Don’t think that just cause a record gets 10 spins a day in your local radio station, makes it a good record. Here is one record that takes it back to the essence of live instrumentation and having that good quality music you can relate to and enjoy.
According to the group’s bio, “One of the great global success stories of the past three years, Staff Benda Bilili have become an unstoppable force. A group of street musicians who used to live & play around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, they make music of astonishing power and beauty. The band’s mesmerising rumba-rooted grooves, overlaid with vibrant vocals and extraordinary tin-can guitar solos, have been dazzling audiences and media the world over, on record, on stage and on the big screen. Staff Benda Bilili ripped through Europe for the first time in late 2009, spreading the word about debut album ‘Très Très Fort’ with one of the most talked-about tours of 2009. The continent’s media responded in a chorus of praise, with top TV shows (including BBC Newsnight), broadsheet newspapers and world-renowned radios lavishing the band and their album with attention and end-of-year plaudits.” Staff has gained worldwide recognition including the 2009 WOMEX artist of the year award and voted as “Best Group” in the Songlines Music Awards 2010. Since 2009 Staff have been touring extensively in Europe, Japan and Australia, playing many of the largest festivals incl. Glastonbury, WOMAD, Roskilde among numerous others. DRC street band Staff Benda Bilili, were this year in a Cannes-selected documentary focusing on their physical disabilities and unbarred DIY approach to making music. (From artist website).
Osali Mabe is an amazing guitar lead record that takes me back to those earlier days when every club and radio station had to have a Lingala thirty minute set. This are what I call timeless records
Listen to the track below:
[audio:http://getmziki.s3.amazonaws.com/Staff_Benda_Bilili _Osali_Mabe.mp3]Click HERE to Download the track (RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE AS)
Watch the video below:
