DRC Music, the collective of music producers founded by Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur), have announced that they will release their upcoming album Kinshasa One Two digitally via Warp Records on October 4 with CD/Vinyl release following on November 8. The proceeds will benefit the work of Oxfam in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kinshasha One Two was recorded in July 2011 in Kinshasa, Congo. Damon Albern and DRC Music—consisting of producers Actress, Dan The Automator, Jneiro Jarel, T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), Richard Russell, Marc Antoine, Alwest, Remi Kabaka, Rodaidh McDonald and Kwes—set out to record an album featuring local contemporary Congolese musicians, over fifty of which appear on Kinshasa One Two. Featured artists include Jupiter and the Okwess International, Bokatola System and Nelly Liyemge. Proceeds of the album will benefit local performers and Oxfam’s work in Congo, an area long known for political instability and humanitarian crises.
Says Oxfam’s DRC Country Director Pauline Ballaman:
‘”Every day in DRC there are hundreds of thousands of people who need Oxfam’s support to access education, clean water, sanitation and basic hygiene. The situation here has been out of the media spotlight for too long. Not only will DRC Music shine a light on the incredible musical talent coming out of the country, it will raise much needed funds for Oxfam’s invaluable work here and focus the world’s attention on Congo once again, seeing it as a place of inspiration, creativity and hope.”
Warp Records comments,
“We feel incredibly fortunate to be involved in the journey that culminated in Kinshasa One Two. It’s completely, brilliantly, unlike anything Warp has undertaken before, but nonetheless feels like a very natural endeavour for us to be a part of. We’re supremely grateful to all the artists, musicians and producers who joined together to create this amazing record and shared a vision of contributing in some small way to benefit the people of the DRC.”
Three of the tracks are now available to be streamed on Soundcloud. Additionally, a video trailer has been released on YouTube. Check out all of these below. Kinshasa One Two is now available for pre-order.
Tracklist for Kinshasa One Two:
Hallo featuring Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge
K-Town featuring N’Gotshima and Bebson
African Space Anthem (A.S.A) featuring Ewing Sima of Tout Puissant Mukalo
Love featuring Love
Lingala featuring Bokatola System and Evala Litongo
Lourds featuring Yende Bongongo of Okwess International
Respect Of The Rules featuring Loi X Liberal
We Come From The Forest featuring Bokatola System
Customs featuring Bokatola System
Virginia featuring Magakala Virginia Yollande and Yowa Hollande
Ah Congo featuring Jupiter Bokondji and Bokatola System
Three Piece Sweet part 1 &2 featuring Bebson
If You Wish to Stay Awake featuring Washiba
Departure featuring Bokatola System
YouTube Trailer:
Hallo (featuring Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge) by DRC Music
Ah Congo (featuring Jupiter Bokondji and Bokatola System) by DRC Music
Lingala (featuring Bokatola System and Evala Litongo) by DRC Music
Photo: Simon Phipps
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