In the early 1980s, Belgium-based musicians, Denis Mpunga and Patrick Stas (AKA Paul K.) combined Denis` native Congolese Folk song with emerging affordable technology. The duo`s few releases previously confined to Various Artists cassettes and compilations. Such as Spanish label, Auxilio De Cientos` Terra Incognita series. Collections that placed them alongside fellow Synth Pop / Minimal Wave travellers as Diseno Corbusier, the many guises of Alain Neffe, and Zazou Biyake. The latter being their closest musical comparison. Emotional Rescue are coincidently readying a selection of tracks from the two Terra Incognita LPs for re-issue.
Balafons, Sanza, Zither and assorted percussion joined Roland’s MC 202, TB 303, and TR 808 . Korg’s MS20 and Monopoly. Producing Proto-Techno intermezzos contemporary to Moebius & Plank`s Zero Set. Yet sounding as now as Mood Hut`s loose analogue machine-Jazz or 1080P`s Post-Rave. Mirroring the fusion of ancient and modern found on Music From Memory`s recent Outro Tempo anthology. Acting as a direct antecedent of the Dazion 12 issued earlier this year on MFM-related imprint, Second Circle. Mixing up abstract echoes of King Sunny Ade`s Ju Ju with Francis Bebey`s pioneering playfulness. Recalling the Electro-Voodoo of Nyrabakiga`s Cor Corora. If Criola wasn`t a Loda / Baldelli, Afro / Cosmic classic then it should have been.
N.B. The music is much lighter than the cover artwork would have you believe.
Reference Links
Ban Ban Ton Ton 