Zong Zing – Unplugged - The London Acoustic Sessions LP

Recorded at La Gare, London by Fitzjames Wood on an old 8 Track Alesis blackface Adat. Using 7 tracks. All the musicians were in the same room. Overdubbing only some of the vocals on another session. No esoteric mic pres were used just the standard inputs on an old Alesis studio 24 desk that was faulty. All the songs were recorded in one day. It was an inspiring experience to see these amazing musicians create such a sound on such budget equipment/instruments. Padu the drummer used just a kick drum hi hat and 'snare' made up of a brick and a book!. I recommend going to Youtube to hear a ruff mix of 'Mutuashi' as the quality is much better. This acoustic set of Zong Zing's Congolese music is a sublime record, deserving continued listening to appreciate the many intriguing nuances these musicians employ weaving their hypnotic rhumba/soukous/mutuashi blend. The music echoes the golden era of Congolese music from the 70's to the 80's. This band has recruited most of its members from that period with such famous names as Nzaya Nzayadio (Singer) and Burkina faso Mboka Lia (master guitarist). This album represents all that is great about Congo's musical supremacy throughout Africa and of African music in general throughout the world. For those with a love for Baba Maal, Salif Kaito et al this is a must.