ABOUT THIS ITEM

The Congotronics series has spawned a fervent following in the world of indie rock and electronic music... and now that world answers back in musical form. Crammed has asked a carefully chosen list of musicians (including Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Andrew Bird and many more) to come up with their own personal take on Congotronics. The result is this epic double album, consisting of 26 brand-new tracks from a wild mix of artists. They include covers, reworks and original compositions inspired by the electrifying sounds of Konono N°1, Kasai Allstars and other bands who play electrified traditional music (also known as 'tradi-modern').

Most of the contributions blur the boundaries between reinventions and covers versions, reworks and homages. Much like its source material, this music is by turns serene, invigoratingly noisy or aimed squarely at open-minded dancefloors… yet always intriguing and in some way revelatory: this album pretends to be nothing other than a joyful homage to what has become a true phenomenon of contemporary music - but listen in, and maybe some unlikely musical bloodlines can be traced...

Featured artists include prominent US indie bands such as Animal Collective, Deerhoof, Andrew Bird, Megafaun, Oneida, Portland's AU, New York's Skeletons and Chicago's Allá, unique personalities such as Juana Molina, Jolie Holland and Glenn Kotche (of Wilco), London's mutant pop sensation Micachu, innovative electronic music producers such as Shackleton, Optimo and Bass Clef from the UK, and Germany's Burnt Friedman and Mark Ernestus (of Basic Channel and Maurizio fame), a rare appearance by the label's seminal band Aksak Maboul and many more. The Congotronics bands paid tribute to are primarily Konono N°1 and Kasai Allstars, but also Sobanza Mimanisa, Kisanzi Congo, and Kasai Allstars offshoots Masanka Sankayi and Basokin.

CD 1
1. Deerhoof Vs Kasai Allstars - Travels Broaden The Mind
2. Animal Collective Vs Kasai Allstars - Quick As White
3. Andrew Bird Vs Konono N°1 & Sobanza Mimanisa - Ohnono/Kiwembo
4. Tussle Vs Konono N°1 - Soft Crush
5. Glenn Kotche Vs Konono N°1 - Traducteur De Transmission
6. Lonely Drifter Karen Vs Kasai Allstars - Hunting On The Moon
7. Jherek Bischoff Vs Konono N°1 - Kule Kule (orchestral Version)
8. Woom Vs Kasai Allstars - Enter The Chief
9. Juana Molina Vs Kasai Allstars - Hoy Supe Que Viajas
10. Mark Ernestus Vs Konono N°1 - Masikulu Dub
11. Skeletons Vs Sobansa Mimanisa - Kiwembo/Unstuck
12. Jolie Holland & Joel Hamilton Vs Kasai Allstars - Nyeka Nyeka
13. Aksak Maboul Vs Kasai Allstars - Land Dispute

CD 2
14. Shackleton Vs Kasai Allstars - Mukuba Special
15. Hoquets Vs Konono N°1 - Likembes
16. Micachu & The Shapes Vs Konono N°1 - NO.K
17. Megafaun Vs Kisanzi Kongo - Conjugal Mirage
18. AU Vs Masanka Sankayi - Two Labors
19. Allá Vs Basokin - Mulu(me)
20. Bear Bones, Lay Low Vs Konono N°1 - Kuletronics
21. Burnt Friedman Vs Konono N°1 - Rubaczech
22. Oneida Vs Konono N°1 - Nombre 1!
23. Optimo Vs Konono N°1 - Wumbanzanga
24. Bass Clef Vs Kasai Allstars - The Incident At Mbuji-Mayi
25. Eye Vs Konono N°1 - Konono Wa Wa Wa
26. Sylvain Chauveau Vs Konono N°1 - Makembe