Seben Steps to Heaven, by Kongo Dia Ntotila

Seben Steps to Heaven

by Kongo Dia Ntotila

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Standard digipak signed by co-founders Mulele Matondo and John Kelly

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1.	Seben Steps to Heaven 07:06	buy track
2.	Didier 09:08	buy track
3.	Oyanga 05:27	buy track
4.	Musique Africaine 05:23	buy track
5.	Coco 05:28	buy track
6.	Kita Na Velo 03:52	buy track
7.	Mi Amor 05:30	buy track
8.	Kupe Dekale 04:00	buy track
9.	Adieu Sabina 04:04	buy track
10.	Diantoti 05:03	buy track

about

‘Seben Steps to Heaven’ is the debut album by London based Congolese band Congo Dia Ntotila. The core of the band formed around 2009 in West Yorkshire, when a group of African and western musicians began to play and learn new styles from each other. These were bassist/guitarist Mulele Matondo (DRC), guitarist John Kelly (UK), drummer David Lessie (DRC) and vocalist Dady Kisonga (DRC). Further members were gradually selected from a countrywide pool of both Congolese and western musicians, and the album was completed in 2011 before the band relocated to London. The vision amongst the founding musicians was to bring subtle changes to the sound of Congolese Rhumba, Cameronian Makossa , French/Caribbean Zouk and other Central African dance floor favourites, without compromising the music’s authenticity. This is achieved by skillfully (and sparingly!) adding some jazz harmonies and soloing, and a live horn section – reminiscent of the early years of Congolese Rhumba before the use of synth became all too common. The band has been making waves on dance floors across the UK, introducing these irresistible rhythms to an ever-widening audience.

‘Seben Steps to Heaven’ takes its title from one of the identifying characteristics of Congolese music - the ‘seben’. Similar in many ways to the coros and montunos in salsa, this refers to the passage/passages in almost every song on this album (usually towards the end) where the guitar plays a repeated phrase as the rhythm section plays a heavier groove, making everybody within earshot dance.....

credits

released July 10, 2012

Guitars: John Kelly, Mulele Matondo Bass: Mulele Matondo
Drums: David Lessie
Congas: Andy Sampson
Vocals: David Lessie, Dady Kisonga, Jethro Kinavuidi, Sarah Kelly, John Kelly, Chameau Maracas
Additional Percussion: David Lessie
Horns: Sean Hollis – Trumpet, John Kelly – Trombone, Liam Byrne – Tenor Saxophone

Songs by Kongo Dia Ntotila
Produced by Mulele Matondo and John Kelly
Recorded at Pro2 Studios, Castleford (and various home studios) in 2010- 2011
Mixed and mastered at Pro2 Studios 2011
Engineered by Simon Mawson

Released on 10 July 2012
Artwork by Oli Bentley of Split Design

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about

Kongo Dia Ntotila London, UK

Kongo Dia Ntotila’s sound is a blend of Africa’s finest dance music styles, revived, modernised, and seamlessly fused with a neat dose of jazz.

"Incredible musicianship.”
Cerys Matthews

"A euphoric joy”
MOJO Mag

"It will enrich your life”
Roland Monger, Listen With Monger

"An untrammelled party sound"
Thomas H. Green, The Arts Desk

"an immersive, exuberant musical experience”
Bandcamp Staff ... more

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