Konono No. 1 Returning With a 'Crash'

Congolese dance-rock fusion act Konono No. 1 are returning June 8 with a new record entitled 'Assume Crash Position' on Crammed Discs. We'll forgo the obvious Toyota joke and instead say that the album title is actually a rough English translation of what "konono" means in the group's native language of Kikongo. The eight tracks are said to meld the band's "junkyard" aesthetic with new, western instrumentations such as a bass and regular guitar that were provided by a neighborhood Konono cover band. Sounds also emerge from the group's oft-used thumb pianos as well as drums made of scrap metal and discarded cars.

Audiences became familiar with Konono No. 1 in 2007, when Bjork tapped the group to provide music for 'Earth Intruders,' off of 2007's 'Volta.' She brought them along for a few shows that year, including a memorable performance at Radio City Music Hall.

While we've yet to hear 'Assume Crash Position,' it sounds as if the group has stuck to their guns in with keeping their sounds and rhythms in house. Speaking with Spinner back in 2007, Konono No. 1's producer Vincent Kenis -- who returns for production duty on 'Assume Crash Position' -- said, "Others have approached, but we turned them all down. Konono don't want to be just a flavor you put on top of something that has nothing to do with what they're doing. The rhythm is paramount. They want togetherness, and you can't get togetherness with people you just run into. Bjork was different. She said from the start that they would play on top of an existing song and they could be creative on top of that."

The group is set to start a European tour on April 28 and will return stateside in July.