Life affirming music from the congo...

Staff Benda Bilili, a gifted group of musicians whose sound is rooted in Rumba, Reggae + Rhythm & Blues are something of an anomaly. They live around the grounds of a zoo in Kinshasa, capital of the Republic of Congo, & the core of the group are severely disabled. The four piece band are backed by a younger rhythm section made up of abandoned street kids who were taken under protection by Ricky & Theo, the eldest members. The soloist, an 18 year-old boy creates an astonishing sound from a one-stringed lute he designed and built himself from a tin can & disused electrical wire. Staff Benda Bilili begin their UK tour at the Barbican on 10th Nov, and play a further seven dates across the country. Going on the video footage I've seen thus far, I expect their live performances' to be quite something!!

The album 'Tres Tres fort', is available now on crammed discs.