Kasai Allstars is a musical collective that brings together members from various Congolese bands, including Masanka Sankayi and Basokin. The singers and instrumentalists all originate from Kasai, a large Congolese province the size of France. However, the artists come from very diverse musical traditions.
The band recorded several tracks for the Congotronics 2 album (“Buzz’n’Rumble from the Urb’n’Jungle“). After that, Kasai Allstars released its critically acclaimed debut recording “In The 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into A Swimming Fish And Ate The Head Of His Enemy By Magic.”
Kasai Allstars presented its spectacular shows several times in Europe, combings captivating rhythms, exhilarating vocals and spectacular dancing.
In November 2010, Belgian record label Crammed Discs released “Tradi-Mods Vs. Rockers“, a multi-artist album featuring re-interpretations, covers and tributes to the music of Kasai Allstars, Konono No1 and other Congotronics bands. The album included 26 indie rock and electronic musicians. The following artists recorded tributes to the music of Kasai Allstars: Deerhoof, Animal Collective, Juana Molina, Shackleton, Aksak Maboul, Lonely Drifter Karen, Jolie Holland, Woom and Bass Clef.
In 2011, Kasai Allstars participated in the Congotronics vs Rockers project, a “superband” including ten Congolese and ten indie rock musicians (also featuring members of Deerhoof, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Konono no.1, Skeletons and Juana Molina), who collaborated to create a common repertoire and performed at 15 major festivals and venues in ten countries.
In 2014, Kasai Allstars released its second album, a 2-CD set titled “Beware The Fetish.”
In 2017, the collective wrote and performed most of the soundtrack for Alain Gomis’ movie “Félicité”, and appeared onscreen playing their own part. The film was presented in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival 2017, where it was awarded the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.
The soundtrack album came out in 2017 and also includes three tracks by Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste. The album included a companion piece: “Félicité Remixes”, a collection of 10 remixes of Kasai Allstars tracks by electronic music producers from Europe, North America and Africa.
The fourth album, “Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound,” was released in 2021.
Discography:
In The 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into A Swimming Fish And Ate The Head Of His Enemy By Magic
(Crammed Discs, 2008)
Beware The Fetish (Crammed Discs, 2014)
Around Félicité (Crammed Discs, 2017)
Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound (Crammed Discs, 2021)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.