"With all of the injustices that are going on with the world, we feel it is important to make music that documents our feelings and perspectives during these times. Our music is a reaction to police brutality, unjust war for profit, pharmaceutical poisoning of the youth, the caste system, media exploitation, gentrification, societal ignorance, religion, sexism, racism and love." - Jeffrey James Franca
D.C. based Congo Sanchez is best known for its thick lyaers of percussion with array of sounds and rhytms from go-go, funk, and soul accompanied by a conscious message and an authentical lyrical approach.
Congo Sanchez performs as a trio with vocalists Flex Mathews and Haile Supreme, accompanying the multi-talented Jeff Franca, aka Congo Sanchez, the drummer for Thievery Corporation and SEE-I. Flex Mathews has a long list of legendary hip-hop artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Atmosphere, KRS-One, Gang Starr, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Immortal Technique… the list goes on. Haile Supreme is a young solo vocalist who has just entered the live musical performance scene. I had the chance to sit down with all of them and dig a little deeper into their journey together as Congo Sanchez.
evolving music world afro-Latin and dub vibes of Franca's previous material, but also branches out into new instrumental directions and even has a few upbeat club-friendly tracks. and puts forth a strong effort to maintain the musical documentation of the vibrations of the District.”
He is quick to give credit to D.C.’s musical heritage of go-go, funk, and soul and lists area artists like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Thievery Corporation among his influences. What does the future hold for Congo Sanchez? “Where we will go, nobody knows, but we love to tour and do so whenever we can. This time on the road gives a great perspective of what we really have here in D.C. as artists and musicians.”
Congo's time as the drummer for Thievery Corporation has clearly had an effect on his ear as he continues to explore the down-tempo, reggae mezcla, with an obvious hip-hop overtone to the composition. Listeners of 'Dealin With This' will hear an array of sounds and rhythms, paying homage to the roots of music with thick layers of percussion; signature to the Congo Sanchez sound. All of this accompanied by a conscious message and an authentic lyrical approach creates a superb listening experience
http://herbrecords.bandcamp.com/
