NYATI MAYI & THE ASTRAL SYNTH TRANSMITTERS - LULANGA TALES
BONGO JOE
New VinylWorld / Rare Grooves / Roots LP / 27.50 EUR
Nyati Mayi and soFa elsewhere fuse dub sonics and Afro-cosmic synths on their outward-looking debut.
Following their debut 7″ last year, “Lulanga Tales” extends Nyati Mayi & The Astral Synth Transmitters’ universe, combining the wide musical interests and heritages of its two protagonists. Nyati Mayi’s heritage is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and as well as providing the vocals on “Lulanga Tales” he also plays the lulanga, a trough zither native to the DRC that was gifted to Mayi when he visited his mother’s village Nyangezi. soFa elsewhere’s background is deep in the crates; he’s been a member of the Brussels electronic scene since the 1990s, creating Balearic ambience as CCCVVV and teaming up with Cheb Runner on the electro-boogie project Mameen 3.
“Lulanga Tales” provides both musicians with the opportunity to slip out of their comfort zone. soFa’s dubwise productions feel more fictile when blessed with Mayi’s vocals and lulanga twangs, and for the most part he keeps a low profile. On ‘Cry Woman’ the electronics are dipped out almost completely, so Mayi can take center stage, but soFa’s cosmic throb is fully evident on ‘Lulanga Tale’, bolstering Mayi’s vocals and plucks with disco dings and John Carpenter-esque syn drums.
