In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish...

Kasai Allstars hail from the same traditional/electric Kinshasa music scene as the better-known Konono No. 1. Stylistically and sonically, they're an obvious cousin of that band, building their songs around amplified likembés (thumb pianos), thudding percussion, circular rhythms, and vocal chants. Kasai Allstars add clear-toned electric guitar and xylophones, with as many as 20 musicians participating on any given track. Whereas Konono's members are all from the same tribal group, the Bazombo, Kasai Allstars include members of five different ethnic groups, incorporating the traditions of all five. The result is predictably more varied in terms of melody and overall feel-- the underlying rhythms also tend to be slower and more complex, especially with so many interlocking parts.

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