 |
African
Music
Kanda
Bongo Man
African
Dance Agency
The
BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
|
+
Kanda
Bongo Man was born in Zaire in 1955.
+ Grew
up in the new wave of Urban pop music.
+
Moved to
Paris in 1979.
+
Formed his
own 'Bongo Man' record label in 1984.
|
|
 |
Kanda
was born in Zaire in 1955. He moved to Paris in 1979 - which was
at the time becoming the international business center for African
Pop - where he has since settled.
He formed his own 'Bongo Man' record label in 1984 and released
several mini-albums with Diblo Dibala - a master guitarist. These
albums are viewed as classic soukous music.
...you're responding to the presence of the audience, they're
giving you that power.
 |
| Kanda
Bongo Man |
The origins of
the music are a blend of Cuban rhumba beats, reinforced with supple
African percussion and sparkling guitar work. A dance-happy, guitar-driven
synthesis of traditional Zairean and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
He has since released a number of albums including, Zing Zong
which 'contains roots music re-worked into an exuberant high density
mix that is nothing less than superior quality dance music.' (Folk
Roots)
His performance
at St.Johns Hall in Penzance sounds like one not to be missed. Kanda
is a live performer and prefers the buzz of the stage and audience
to the buzz of the studio.
Kanda Says: "Playing
live is better because you have direct contact with the public...you're
responding to the presence of the audience, they're giving you that
power."
"Soukous music seems to grab people around the waist, hurl them
mercilessly aound the dancefloor and unleash an irresistable urge
to dance to exhaustion. People who normally dance as though their
movements are being governed by a puppeteer with hiccups suddenly
acquire the rhythmic precision of Michael Jackson." (Folk Roots)
Kanda
Bongo Man
Sat 9th February 8:30
St Johns Hall, Penzance.
Contact the Rainyday Gallery for tickets - £11 in advance or
£12 on the door on: 01736
366077 |
