KEKELE! Have you heard them?

[grace0418]

I'm in love with Kekele- a Congolese band that infuses it's African music with a Cuban sensibility. Well actually, rumba originated in the Congo. The slave trade brought it to Cuba. Then it traveled back to the Congo with new Latin layers added to it.

Anyway, this band is like a supergroup of all the best musicians in this genre. They played in Chicago twice recently and, after seeing them for the first time at the Folk & Roots Festival, I saw them again because they were so amazing.

I adore this album. It's warm and lush and joyful.

Here is a review that I recently read...

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21107

---snip---

Much as the Buena Vista Social Club resurrected the old Cuban son style, Kekele, formed six years ago by forever-young oldsters still tuned into the rumba's power, has brought about a rebirth to a propulsive, danceable style many young Africans, Europeans and North Americans have lost track of over the years.

...This is not just the best African album I've heard in years; it's superior to most of the world music releases that I've heard lately, from any place. What a case for how age can bring a perfect blend of musical seasonings.

[grace0418]

1. C'mon, this banding is way more interesting than freaking KUDZU!

and yet that stupid thread has had one brazillion responses. Maybe I smell. I showered this morning.