The Congotronics franchise has succeeded in making the rawest of African traditional music seem remarkably hip.  The third volume in this series—which was created by adventurous Belgian producer Vincent Kenis—focuses on a super-group from central Congo.  Kenis initially combined rival Kasai ensembles to create the Allstars and was amazed when he returned the next year to find they had remained together.  That diversity pays off on this entrancing set of urban bush grooves.  The mesmerizing cycles of Congo music play out in various sound scapes—gentle, deep-toned drums and clamoring voices, understated electric guitars, thumb pianos, and most memorably, various wooden xylophones some of which produce such other-worldly tones that it is at times hard to believe they haven’t been electronically enhanced.  Those familiar with Congo’s mighty pop music will recognize some of the aesthetics, especially in the organized chaos of vocal layers, and the guitar work on tunes like “Mpombo Yetu.”  Yet there is no artifice here.  The music is neither bastardized nor precious, just a rivetingly real reflection of the ongoing allure and paradox that is the Congo. 

Contributed by: Banning Eyre
Originally published in: Boston Phoenix