The Italy musicians where four very talented guys from Congo. They sang harmonies mainly in the call and response format particular to African music and accompanied themselves on drums. On the recording the play congas, bongos and clave but I found they could turn their percussive skills to any thing that made a good sound when beat.
Left to right, Raymond, Jacques, Serge and Antoine.
The main theme of their music was their Christian religion. I would normally feel a bit uncomfortable with religious music but these guys where so good and performed with such conviction that any such qualms evaporated instantly. The guys work during the week in various jobs and had given up their weekend to come and do the project with us. Serge was actually a teacher in Congo but works in a car mechanics in Italy. I think in most societies people from low income backgrounds are severely restricted in chances of self development or making a contribution to society that befits their intellectual abilities. For refugees I suspect the situation is much more difficult and people with specific talents and skills will find it hard to make best use of them. The Congo musicians in Italy where charismatic and joyful and I sincerely hope things work out well for them.
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