'Salone', the long player debut of American-Sierra Leonean Kondi Band is accompanied of a nice story. It all started when American DJ Chief Boima (himself of Sierra Leonean descent) one day stumbled upon a YouTube video by Sorie Kondi, a blind kondi- or thumb piano-player. Moved by Kondi's socially engaged vocals and his virtuosity on the kondi, Lee immediately decided to remix Sorie's song 'Without Money, No Family'. The remix - also included on 'Salone' - quickly became popular in the deejay-scene and, thanks to a mention in Fader magazine, eventually also reached Sorie's manager in Freetown. He then contacted Boima and after a successful Kickstarter campaign Kondi was flown to the United States for a short live tour; time the duo also used to lay the groundwork for 'Belle Wahalla', their 2016 debut EP. Even though it might not be as stirring, 'Salone' is somewhat reminiscent of Congotronics-acts like Konono N° 1 or Kasai Allstars. Extremely successful marriage between African tradition and Western electronics.