Congolese Staff Benda Bilili reaches us from Kinshasa and we should be very glad about it! Staff Benda Bilili is that dauntless group of musicians and 'sheges'* in wheelchairs and on crutches that has been conquering world-pop stages with their irresistible up-tempo sound, their immense enthusiasm and their infectious act! Plus of course that unique, intriguing sound of the self-made, single-stringed 'satonge' over compelling rumba and other rhythms too.
'Très Très Fort', their exquisite and extremely relevant debut, is out on the alert Crammed label (via Pias). Following a full Bota, this summer 2010 they'll be turning festivals like Couleur Café, Esperanzah and Dranouter upside down. At De Standaard Staff Benda Bilili is already one of the eye-catchers of the 2010 Festival Guide. De Morgen also mentioned: '****... this crippled gold was quite simply the ultimate revelation of this edition of Couleur Café'.
Furthermore: following a first selection for the Cannes Film Festival, in September 2010 there will also be a film about Staff Benda Bilili released here in the better cinemas (via Cinéart).

* 'Sheges' = street kids, often ex-child-soldiers, and Benda Bilili apparently means 'behind the looks, see through appearances'. Listening (and dancing) is of course also allowed!

Strongly influenced by the Congotronics groups and their instruments made out of recuperated materials, the members of Hoquets use a similar attitude : this Belgian/American/French trio exclusively play with instruments that they invent and construct out of wooden boards, broken strings, tin cans, etc. They play music which is at times strange, overflowing with energy, and like no other : inspired by indie pop, punk funk and their use of unusual instruments, this music is both without precedent and strangely familiar at the same time.
Their debut album is planned for release in April 1st on Crammed Discs.