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Staff Benda Bilili are a group of paraplegic street musicians who live in and around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, Congo, they make music of astonishing power and beauty. A film – called Benda Bilili - has been released of the group which lifts the lid on the Congolese music scene and reveals the inspirational true story behind STAFF BENDA BILILI
This description is given of the band from their Face Book page: The band’s mesmerising rumba-rooted grooves, overlaid with vibrant vocals, remind you at times of Cuban nonchalance, at other times of the Godfather of Soul himself. You can hear echoes of old-school rhythm and blues, then reggae, then no-holds barred funk.
Four senior singer/guitarists sitting on spectacularly customized tricycles, occasionally dancing on the floor of the stage, arms raised in joyful supplication, are the core of the band, backed by a younger, all-acoustic, rhythm section pounding out tight beats. Over the top of this are weird, infectious guitar-like solos performed by a 17 year-old prodigy on a one-string electric lute he designed and built himself out of a tin can.
The group is slated to perform in London in May. For details of the dates and a wonderful live video of the group performing their single je t’aime head over to the forum – click STAFF BENDA BILILI
