Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Tradition Meets Technology on Konono N˚1 Meets Batida

Terence Praet
By

temp konono n1 meets batida 01kononon1 and by veramarmelo hires
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Konono Meets Batida_cover_lores The electric likembe is the centerpiece of the legendary Congolese band Konono N˚1’s sound. Migiedei Mawangu, the band’s late founder, electrified the traditional African thumb piano after he moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bakongo region to its capital, Kinshasa. There he founded L’Orchestre Folklorique Tout Puissant Konono N°1 (The Almighty Folk Orchestra Konono N˚1).

Featuring the sound of two electric likembes (one lead and one bass) along with traditional and makeshift percussion, Konono N˚1 saw the first release of the music outside of the DRC in 1980 on a French compilation album. Producer Vincent Kenis heard Konono N˚1’s track on the compilation and began searching for the band during his time in the Congo. His perseverance was rewarded in the early 2000s when he found the band and was able to help them record their first album, Congotronics.

Konono N°1 meets Batida - new album teaser

After Crammed Discs released Congotronics in 2004, the band became a sensation with indie and electronic musicians. They garnered praise from a multitude of artists (including Beck, Wilco, and Thom Yorke), and were invited by Björk to record and perform with her. Now, twelve years and two albums after Congotronics, Konono N˚1 return with a new collaborator and a new record.

Recommended Videos

Their latest album, Konono N˚1 Meets Batida, as its title suggests, is a collaboration with the Portuguese-Angolan musician Batida. Playing danceable electronic music and influenced by a variety of styles of Angolan music, Batida looks on paper to be an ideal collaborator for Konono N˚1, and the results bear that out. Konono N˚1 Meets Batida is a brilliant, heady mixture of its creators’ differing but related styles.

Konono N°1 meets Batida - "Nlele Kalusimbiko"

Beginning with Migiedei Mawangu’s creation of the electric likembe, Konono N˚1 has mixed folk traditions with modern techniques and technology. The band’s collaboration with Batida is the latest step in this journey, and the two artists’ complementary sounds elevate their collaboration to new heights.

Konono N˚1 Meets Batida will be released in the US by Crammed Discs on April 29th. The record is available to preorder on Amazon, iTunes, and Crammed Discs’ online shop.

Terence Praet
Terence Praet
Terence Praet contributes to The Manual’s New Music Monday column. He studied Philosophy and History at Skidmore College…
The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

Read more
The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Read more
This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Read more