Kongo Dia Ntotila play Kongo jazz. Their sound is a blend of Africa’s finest dance music styles, revived and modernised. They draw on a breadth of African rhythmic and sonic traditions, with a strong foundation of Congolese rumba and the sunshine sounds of seben guitar, seamlessly fused with a neat dose of jazz.
It is pure Afro-joy: dance-inducing beats, polyrhythmic guitars, grooving bass, soaring brass, and beautiful harmonic vocals. The band comprises three UK jazz players on guitar, saxophone and trumpet; with drummer, bassist and 2nd guitarist from Kinshasa, DRC, described by Tom Robinson as “musicians of the very very highest standard,” while Max Reinhardt has called band leader, Mulele, “a visionary bassist”.
Album ‘360°’ is their new 10-track record bringing the brass to the forefront of the musical conversation and a new direction to the KDN sound, since their more vocal-heavy first release, ‘Seben Steps to Heaven’.
The album has been very well-received with reviews from MOJO magazine "A euphoric joy" 4 stars; Songlines magazine "An all around excellent album" 4 stars; The Arts Desk "an untrammelled party sound"; and The Vinyl District "Kongo Dia Ntotila have honed their thing to an audience-thrilling precision; this is music custom-built for outdoor shows in the sunshine." (Festivals take note!)
BBC DJs on their live shows say: “a great combination of sophistication, energy, musicianship and pure life-affirming spiritual uplift!” (Tom Robinson) and: “Wherever they go they bring a raucously joyful party with them.” (Max Reinhardt)