Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Criola; Criola Remixed (2017)

2017 - Criola FLAC
Music From Memory return with this eye-opening collection of recordings spanning 1980-1984 from Belgian/Congolese duo Denis Mpunga and Paul K, combining elements of traditional African music with experimental electronics. Having released only a handful of tracks scattered across a few LP and cassette compilations that were put out in the mid eighties by obscure european labels, this release also includes a few previously unreleased tracks that were found on the original master tapes.

"Relocating with his family from the Congo to Belgium in 1973 at the young age of 13, Denis Mpunga grew up in the industrial city of Liege and quickly became deeply embedded in it's musical scene, forming the group Gomma Percussions in 1979; a percussive group driven by West African influences that would also experiment with found objects and improvised musical instruments.

The group released only one 7' but toured and performed frequently up until as late as 2000. A side project Eko-Kuango formed by the Gomma Percussion members also saw the release in 1985 of the now much sought after 12'' ''Fura'' which also includes Denis Mpunga on vocals.

As well as a later career as a comedian and actor with roles in television and cinema, Dennis has continued to produce and compose music, perhaps most notably writing the soundtrack for ''La Promesse'' (1996) a highly regarded film by the Dardenne brothers; currently probably Belgiums most celebrated contemporary filmmakers.

Patrick Stas who would release with Denis under the Paul K. moniker was a well-known local musician in Liege and considered something of a luminary figure in the electronic and experimental music scene in Belgium. Patrick would set up the independent cassette and vinyl label ''Home Produkt'' releasing amongst others, the work of Tara Cross, who has herself been the subject of a killer V-O-D compilation in recent years.

The two of them would join forces in 1980 to work together on a soundtrack for a children's animation company called ''CAMERA etc'', recording the ''Intermezzo'' tracks which are included here. Keen to experiment further as a duo, Denis proposed the idea of combining some more traditional songs or percussive African elements with Patrick's experiments with drum computers and synthesisers.

Working around more conventional instruments such as guitar and bass, Denis would also bring Balafons, Senzas and a Zither to their recordings whilst Patrick would work with an array of synthesizers and drum machines such as a 202, TB 303 & TR 808 and Korg's MS20 & Monopoly amongst many others.

At a time when world-music was becoming hugely popular across Europe (and especially so in Belgium and France), the pair were keen to try and explore African music in a new contemporary way. Much like the intentionally provocative archival image, which Denis selected for the sleeve of Criola, the recordings set out to play with and challenge preconceptions and expectations of African music and African culture. Together, Denis Mpunga and Paul K's, if somewhat brief, musical adventure would create a fascinating new musical language, African music born out of an industrial European landscape; music which the compilation ''Criola'' reveals as both wholly unique and visionary."

Tracklist:
01. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Intermezzo 03 (4:01)
02. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Criola (3:29)
03. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Intermezzo 02 (1:05)
04. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - !!! KWE (2:06)
05. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - DOU NIYA (2:42)
06. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Intermezzo 01 (0:55)
07. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Funyaka (3:02)
08. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - What (1:58)
09. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Veronika 02 (2:37)

2017 - Criola Remixed FLAC
Denis Mpunga and Paul K.’s early ‘80s African electro experiments refreshed by Tolouse Low Trax, Interstellar Funk, Prins Emanuel, Androo and Dazion for 2017 in typically timeless style for Music From Memory.

We point you straight to the B-side for the EP’s highlights; firstly for Tolouse Low Trax’s loping remix of Veronika II, which operates at the balmiest end of the day/dancefloor, and secondly to the Interstellar Funk perspective on Intermezzo II, lit up with a reverberating, radioactive synth line over dusky drums and foreboding yet seductive tropical atmospheres.

Tracklist:
01. Denis Mpunga & Paul K., Prins Emanuel - KWE!! (Prins Emanuel Remix) (4:46)
02. Denis Mpunga & Paul K., Dazion - Intermezzo B (Dazion Remix) (6:12)
03. Denis Mpunga & Paul K., Androo - Funyaka (Androo Remix) (5:49)
04. Denis Mpunga & Paul K., Tolouse Low Trax - Veronika II (Tolouse Low Trax Remix) (5:50)
05. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Veronika II (Original Mix) (2:40)
06. Denis Mpunga & Paul K. - Intermezzo II (Interstellar Funk Remix) (8:28)