Congo Bongo

A friend phoned if we felt like going to a Congolese band.

We assumed that this would mean some drums and african guitar, but swinging.

It started 19.30. This turned out to be 19.30 african time. Around 20.45 we were asked to go inside - but it was OK, cold beer, great view and good company. So we paid our 1.000 RWF (Eur 1.20) along with 30 others and entered. A bit weird; there were three small blokes rapping on some taped music. Our hope was on the un-manned drumset.

Then after some noisy sound testing some Michael Jackson music come on and a man started moonwalking etc. He did well, but his face was too serious.




Finally a man with sunglasses announced the band and nearly fall from the stairs, because he couldn't see a thing. Apparently this band from Kisangani in Eastern Congo is world famous in this region.

I must say we had a wonderful evening, they were very impressive. Two singers, a tall and a very short bloke, dancing in time. Funny to see how the same movements give a different impression on tall and small people.
It was a good mixture of music, mostly modern rap-like. Sometimes a congolese tune mixed in. Not the 3 minutes pop songs, but proper length well structured songs. They sang in tune, the sound quality was good, they were great showmen. I would gladly put them on a club podium in Europe.
In short: we had a good time watching the catchy, danceable music. The only thing is that they sing in French, but to be honest, often you can not understand lirics anyway.

Go see them if you get a chance.

A good example of their music on this link.
http://www.myspace.com/pasnas



Nice to see they left like a good rockband all of them in a small minibus.