f you don’t know the story, this African band is comprised of street musicians from Kinshasa, Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo) who have been disabled with various forms of paraplegia. Inspiring as that is, and it’s QUITE inspiring, a simple donation to charity could ease your guilt (by the way, if you’re like VP Joseph Biden, and only give 1% of your money to charity, SHAME ON YOU! Get it up to 10% and make a difference in this world and eternity). The music by these artists has to stand on its own, or buying this music is just a feel good moment. Let me tell you, this band is a cooker!

Mixing vocals, percussion and a plethora of stringed instruments, the SBB mixes festive rockfish rhythms with intricate melodies to a glorious perfection. Celebratory tunes like “Osali Mabe” have joyously loose guitar melodies, while the percussive onslaught of “Bilanga” is complemented by some Allman Brothers-styled guitar licks and group vocals. Excellent guitar picking that is both intricate and almost vocal in style is featured on “Kuluna” while some flexible and lithe string work is spotlighted on the jumping “Tangu I Fueni.” If you get a chance to see them on their fall tour, don’t miss it. Inspirational on a number of levels.