Kasai Allstars.

Format:

Video

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Africa.

African Americans.

Jazz music.

Performances.

Local Subjects:

Africa.

African Americans.

Jazz music.

Performances.

Genre:

Performance

Physical Description:

1 online resource (96 minutes)

Other Title:

Kasai Allstars - Live at Moods

Place of Publication:

Paris, Ile-de-France : Qwest TV, 2017.

Language Note:

In English.

Original language in English.

System Details:

video file

Summary:

Formed by Vincent Kenis, co-founder of Aksak Maboul and legendary figure of the label Crammed, the Kasai Allstars have garnered equal attention through the Congotronics album series, alongside the legendary Konono N°1. From Kasai, a diamondiferous region of The Democratic Republic of the Congo, this collective unites past and future via different instruments typical of this part of Africa. The likembe and mbira are first to come to mind, two handheld instruments belonging to the lamellophone family whose metal keys produce enchanting sonorities. Idolized by the British alternative scene (see Tradi-Mods vs. Rockers), this group cultivates a legendary esthetic, exemplified by the soundtrack of Alain Gomis’ film Félicité. Performing at Moods Club, the Kasai Allstars quickly set the tone. After a superb a cappella introduction, the group begin a set of over 90 minutes. Muambuyi and Kabongo’s vocals carry the ensemble’s stunning, heavily distorted arrangements. Heady and enchanting woody tones emanate from the immense balafon on stage, electric guitar chords recall at times the rumba of the independence period, and the drummer donning a Bomba Estéro cap cements this particularly impressive performance. Ruthlessly entangling rhythms before their Swiss audience, the seven musicians end on a high note with a track full of mysticism, whose hypnotic quality has a transcendental effect… Vincent Caffiaux

Notes:

Title from resource description page (viewed July 16, 2025).

Performed moods.Digital Concert Club