WOMAD

Konono No.1

From Congo

Punk was a movement always defined by its DIY ethic. But it was never one-tenth as resourceful as this bunch of musicians from the heart of Africa who liberate whatever’s close to hand, whether it’s making microphones using magnets salvaged from car parts or adapting pots, pans and more car spares to form their rhythmic backbone. Add a wave of distortion supplied through a trio of thumb pianos, sign up a freewheeling team of singers and dancers, and that – ladies and gentlemen – is the sound of Konono No1. Untamed, unpolished and unsanitised. Not the most obvious Radio 3-friendly fare, so it was extremely refreshing that this wild psychedelia didn’t scare off the czars of the UK’s world music scene – the band tore up the opposition in bagging the Best Newcomer prize at this year’s BBC Radio 3 Awards For World Music. With everything cranked up to 11, Konono No1 might be heavy but they sure make a beautiful noise.In a few words… Wild and noisy psychedelia from the mother continent