In collaboration with Oxfam offshoot DRC Music, British rocker Damon Albarn is off to record a charity album in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Among those traveling with the Blur singer will be one-man act T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), producers Dan the Automator and Jneiro Jarel, and XL Records owner Richard Russell.
The collective’s aim is to complete the album in just seven days and to include authentic Congo influences by bringing in local musicians.
Several of the players involved in the charity project are documenting their journey on Twitter: "I never for a second thought my music would take me to Africa," tweeted T-E-E-D.
British record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kwes, who is also in attendance, posted this update: "In DRCongo with the peeps, on a yellow chair, witnessing local musicians tirelessly play. LOVE."
The group is currently making its way to the studio in Kinshasa, but it’s not the first time Albarn has recorded in Africa. In 2001, he produced Mali Music – an album made for Oxfam Mali – and later visited Nigeria to work with the Good, the Bad and the Queen contributor Tony Allen.
Although all details have not been made clear, Fact reported that the charity album will be released on Warp, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Oxfam.