"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

"Dealin' With This," the first full length LP from Congo Sanchez is an amalgamation of musical influences symbiotically continuing the unique sound achieved by producer and creator Jeffrey James Franca AKA "Congo". The album features the vocal talents of band members Flex Mathews and Haile Supreme, as well as special guests Mr. Lif, Ras Nebyu, and Brittany Tanner. You will even hear a small choir of the bands nieces and nephews featured on the opening cut, "Gentrified Children." Each song tells a different story touching on the real life experiences of the band. From the perils of life on the road, broken hearts and dreams, to deceased family members and political protest pieces, "Dealin' with this" takes a real approach to composition and pushes the envelope in all directions. A refreshing, relatable presentation of word and sound, with a relevant, thought provoking message.

The evolution of this ensemble has happened naturally over the past year and a half. Having captivated audiences from coast to coast, and finished up their first full length record, it is clear that Congo, Haile and Flex are on the rise as a cutting edge musical force. The influences in the music are quite diverse. Congo's time as the drummer for Thievery Corporation has clearly had an affect on his ears as he continues to explore the downtempo, reggae mezcla, with an obvious hip-hop overtone to the over all musical composition. You will be taken through an array of sounds and rhythms, paying homage to the roots of music with thick layers of percussion, signature to the Congo Sanchez sound. Most importantly the band puts out a conscious message which is typically non existent in most of the music we hear these days.

The revolutionary music of the past was hugely instrumental in social progress and civil change. The group maintains that the general population needs to be reminded that the guard cannot be let down, and that artists must continue to use music as a tool for social awareness. In the words of the great Stevie Wonder, "Have we real come this far through space and time? Or is this just a vision in my mind." The current events of this generation are a confirmation that sadly, the progress is merely a mirage for the general blind comfort of the people. It is refreshing to see a young group of artists using their talents to portray a perspective that most are not willing to assume.