A collective of producers lead by Damon Albarn recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to produce a new album for Oxfam. T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), Dan The Automator, Jneiro Jarel, Richard Russell, Actress, Marc Antoine, Alwest, Rodaidh McDonald and Kwes all made the trip with the plan - to make an album in 7 days.
Wracked by years of conflict, the DRC is home to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, and proceeds from the album will go to helping Oxfam's work, helping thousands of the DRC's poorest people.
At ‘Pop Up Congo’ in London this Monday - FreeFair DRC
DRC Music are participating in ‘Pop-Up Congo’ - a London event organised by FreeFair DRC to provide a snapshot of the best in contemporary Congolese music, film and photography.
The event also aims to raise awareness of the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and help ensure that they are conducted freely and fairly.
It will be the first chance to see some of the handmade instruments used in the making of the ‘Kinshasa One Two’ album as well as DJ sets from DRC Music producers Actress and Rodaidh McDonald at 6pm.
In advance of next weeks main release of ‘Kinshasa One Two’ (CD & Deluxe Vinyl hits stores) we have launched a REMIX COMPETITION with Warp Records and SoundCloud.
Download stems of ‘Hallo’, upload your new remixes and listen to an exclusive new interview with Damon Albarn and Richard Russell discussing the project - http://remixhallo.drcmusic.org
The winning remixer gets music production equipment - provided by Novation, Focusrite & Blue Microphone - plus Soundcloud ‘Pro’ memberships!
Some photos from the DRC Music DJ set at Oxjam in London last week, which featured many of the producers and even a version of ‘Hallo’ with Damon Albarn live on stage
Interview with Damon Albarn, Kwes and T-E-E-D from Front Row, BBC Radio 4 on 5th September - http://drcmusic.org
Interview with Damon Albarn and Kwes on BBC Radio 1 with Zane Lowe from 5th September - http://drcmusic.org for more info.
Tonight on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 4…
Damon Albarn and Kwes discuss DRC Music with Zane Lowe on Radio 1 tonight after 8pm - Information here
Damon, Kwes and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs are also guests on Radio 4’s Front Row from 7.15pm - Information here
Hallo (featuring Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge)
http://drcmusic.org An album of Congolese music entitled Kinshasa One Two by DRC Music, a collective gathered by Damon Albarn, is released digitally by Warp Records on 3rd October 2011 with a CD/vinyl release to follow on 7th November, to benefit Oxfam.
Kinshasa One Two was made during 5 days of sessions in Kinshasa this summer when the DRC Music collective teamed up with the best of contemporary Congolese musicians and performers. The collective comprises the eclectic production talents of: T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), Dan The Automator, Jneiro Jarel, Richard Russell, Actress, Marc Antoine, Alwest, Remi Kabaka, Rodaidh McDonald and Kwes, with album artwork by Hardy Blechman and Aitor Throup.
