Various Artists - Tradi-Mods vs Rockers: Alternative Takes On Congotronics

The Congotronics series has spawned a fervent following in the world of alternative rock and electronic music... and now that world answers back in musical form.

Crammed has asked a carefully chosen list of musicians to come up with their own personal take on Congotronics. The result is this EPIC DOUBLE ALBUM consisting of 26 BRAND-NEW TRACKS inspired by the sound of the Congotronics bands: most of the contributions blur the boundaries between reinventions and covers, reworks and homages.

Featured artists include prominent US indie bands such as ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, DEERHOOF, ANDREW BIRD, MEGAFAUN, ONEIDA, Portland's AU, New York's SKELETONS and Chicago's ALLÁ, unique personalities such as JUANA MOLINA, JOLIE HOLLAND and GLENN KOTCHE (of Wilco), London's mutant pop sensation MICACHU & THE SHAPES, innovative electronic music producers such as SHACKLETON, OPTIMO and BASS CLEF from the UK, and Germany's BURNT FRIEDMAN and MARK ERNESTUS (of Basic Channel and Maurizio fame), a rare appearance by the label's seminal band AKSAK MABOUL and many more. The Congotronics bands paid tribute to are primarily KONONO No 1 and KASAI ALLSTARS, but also Sobanza Mimanisa, Kisanzi Congo, and Kasai Allstars offshoots Masanka Sankayi and Basokin.

The booklet includes texts written by each of the contributors, who explain what they love about Congotronics, and/or how they approached their respective tracks.