43. Konono No. 1- Congotronics

The best dance record of 2005? Yes. And that without a doof-doofbeat as backing but the sound of three electrically jacked up thumb pianos backed by a whole orchestra seemingly using garbage as percussion instruments whipping traditional rhythms up into a new frenetic high.

Has African music lost a lot of momentum? I don't know but it seems that there's a distinctive lack of new releases coming through that get attention. I'm glad that this one didn't slip by, for this Congolese little pearl is a tribute to the non-professionalism of musicians, who, armed with whatever they could get their hands on, recreate the rhumba fronted by three amped up thumb pianos who lead the way with irresistable melodies. Man, love to see this band perform and feel those rhythms come to live even more!