THE BUZZ IN BANTU SONIC COSMOLOGY

A deep dive into the hypnotic, fuzzy distortions of Bantu sonic cosmology, including Luba drums (mukupele) & xylophones (madimba) and Bazombo electrified likembé (thumb piano) music.

The Luba and other ethnic groups in the region play drums and xylophones made of tuned wooden bars supported on a frame, with calabash gourds attached underneath as resonators. The mirlitons (buzzing membranes) inside the gourds add a characteristic nasal buzz to the sound. The mirliton is created by drilling a small hole in the side of each calabash and inserting a short hollow tube or rod. Inside this tube, a thin, translucent film, harvested from the egg sac (or "nest") of the ntanda nkumbidi spider, is affixed. This spider silk membrane vibrates when the bars are struck, producing the buzzing effect. The electrified likembé is a modern variation of the same aesthetic. Buzzing timbres are used to enhance and accentuate the rhythms, create "ghost melodies" and disguise or distort sounds to embody otherworldly presences during rituals, masquerades, or funerals.

TRACKLIST

1. Mutomboko and Luwendo – Group of Luba Men (Luba people, DR Congo). From Sound of Africa Series 39: Congo (Luba, Luba/Kasai, Luba/Bakwanga). Recorded by Hugh Tracey / International Library of African Music (ILAM). Released on Smithsonian Folkways / ILAM, 2014 (original field recordings from the 1950s).

2. Hugh Tracey Mambala Rhythm (excerpt) – Luba people (DR Congo/Zambia border region). From Musical Instruments 3: Drums 1 (Music of Africa Series). Recorded by Hugh Tracey, International Library of African Music (ILAM), 1950s. Released on various ILAM compilations (e.g., MOA29).

3. Unknown song – Luba (likely recorded by Hugh Tracey). Traditional Luba likembe/drum piece. Most likely from Hugh Tracey’s Sound of Africa series or Music of the Luba collections (ILAM, 1950s).

4. Orchestra of the Mwant Yaav’s court – Lunda people (DR Congo). Opnamen Van Afrikaanse Muziek – nr 10: Lunda – Zaïre. Recorded by Jos Gansemans. Koninklijk Museum voor Midden-Afrika (Tervuren, Belgium), 1974.

5. Kutomboka Dance – Mulopwe Ensemble. From African Gems (compilation). SWP Records, 2014 (LP/digital). Traditional Luba/Katanga ensemble recording.

6. Bumper – Kabongo Tshisensa (Mukanda). Modern release/visualizer from Pro Sandoussa TV (YouTube). Contemporary Kasai/Luba soukous/rumba with mukanda (initiation) themes.

7. Animation – Orchestre Bana Luya (excerpt). From Zaïre: Musiques Urbaines à Kinshasa. Ocora Radio France, 1987 (original recordings 1978).

8. Kuata Nkuaka – Orchestre Sankai. From the legendary 1978 Kinshasa recordings (often compiled on bootlegs or Zaïre: Musiques Urbaines à Kinshasa / Kinshasa 1978 sessions). Raw street likembe/rumba.

9. Konono N°1 – Kin 78 One. From Kinshasa 1978 (Originals and Reconstructions). Crammed Discs, 2019 (original 1978 field recordings).

10. Konono N°1  – Masikulu. From Congotronics. Crammed Discs, 2005 (original recordings earlier).

11. Konono N°1  – Paradiso. From Congotronics. Crammed Discs, 2005.

12. Down and Out – Kasai Allstars (DR Congo). From Beware The Fetish. Crammed Discs, 2014.

13. Beyond The 7th Moon – Kasai Allstars. From In The 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into A Swimming Fish And Ate The Head Of His Enemy By Magic. Crammed Discs, 2008.

14. Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1) – Mbongwana Star. From Mbongwana Star. World Circuit / Crammed Discs, 2015.