🥁🎺👯♀️🎧🌇 Congo Funk, the new opus from the excellent Analog Africa label, delves into the heavy Congo(s) funk groove from the 60s to the early 80s. This is well before soukous – although it does come through on some of the more recent tracks here – and the orchestras we thought were essentially linked to rumba and its derivatives take us far into the torrid heat of the nights of the two capitals, with hints of Afrobeat with a Congo flavour. James Brown’s concert in Kinshasa in 1974, as a prelude to the Rumble in the Jungle between Foreman and Ali, was no stranger to this surge of soul and funk in Central Africa. Braised chicken and spicy kebabs were grilling along the pavements, while coloured neon lights flickered on and off, illuminating the bars that were always full. On the semblance of pavement, taxis and mopeds zigzag between puddles and holes. And the music blares from the loudspeakers set up in front of the stalls, right on the street. From Bacongo to Makélékélé, along the Djoué, clusters of young people stroll along, forming and breaking up, talking loudly, Primus in hand, while the nzele women, wearing a little too much make-up, laugh and dance a few steps. At Macédo’s, the Bantous de la Capitale get the groove going, while on the other side of the river, Tabu Ley, Zaïko Langa Langa and OK Jazz turn up the heat. Kin and Brazza are buzzing until late at night. Those who know, know! And this Congo Funk! compilation is a masterly plunge into this uninhibited Afro-funk that I can only recommend!
Congo Funk! Sound Madness From The Shores Of The Mighty Congo River (Kinshasa/Brazzaville 1969-1982) – 2024
