Les Tambours have the complex job of representing a cross section of Congolese rhythms as well as figuring out ways to entertain increasingly global audiences as an ensemble with a focus on drums. Since their 1991 formation, they’ve amped up the spectacle, playing shirtless in an effort to show masculinity in its most seemingly unstained, fibrous state. They’ve incorporated precision dance moves and deployed all manner of vocalists, bassists, guitarists, and trap kit players to offset what might get same-y for listeners who don’t understand that every aspect of musical sound can exist in the hands of ensembles containing nothing more than a variety of expert, creative percussionists.

Musically, Les Tambours have explored Central Africa soukous, Taraab from Zanzibar, and their own take on rap. And because all of the spectacle, as well as the stylistic gumbo in which they dabble, they are in no way representational of Brazzaville specifically, or Republic of Congo in general, not that they are even trying to deal in perimeters so narrow. Les Tambours are a pop band, something made increasingly clear on Kongo. From the growling vocal showcase and repeated guitar figure driving “Bakwaku Wo,” to the sinewy South African Zulu-influenced harmony vocals (“Brazza”) or the almost Sanatana-esque six-string licks of “Ah Me Bunsana,” this is a polished, produced ensemble with an army of Ngoma players underpinning whatever direction a particular track calls for.

Only when one gets to the end of the disc, on closing track “Makangou Ma Tata,” does she get anything close to what this music might sound like unencumbered by electricity or studio gloss. Here the drummers become the entire orchestra; listen to this track enough times and the need for anything else slowly dissipates. --Bruce Miller