Pépé Kallé – l’Argent ne Fait Pas le Bonheur
Mélodie

Another amazing album, thank you Moos!!! I had not heard of it before. Pepe Kalle with Lokassa on accomp and Diblo on lead is a present for me. Very nice sounds.

Pepe Kalle Pepe Kalle Kabasele Yampanya alias is considered one of the pillars of the third generation modern Congolese music. This giant of the stage known as the elephant of Congolese music because of its size, 2 meters for 150 pounds, died November 28, 1998, two days before his 47th birthday and a few months after the release of his latest album “Cocktail”. An album that won a huge success on the Congolese music market. For many observers of Congolese music, Cocktail signed a comeback of Pepe Kalle. An artist whose success began to decline in the second half of the year 90. Pepe Kalle was found in 1969 in the orchestra Bamboula Nedule Santa Claus, whose style is in line with the African Fiesta Tabu Ley Rochereau from. It Verkys, the famous saxophonist OK Jazz of Franco Luambo Makiadi that will highlight the qualities of singer Pepe Kalle in his band Veve and one of its satellites Lipwa Lipwa formations. In 1972, still in “the stable Veve” Pepe Kalle helped found the group led by the Bella Bella and Maxime Emile Soki brothers. Its passage in this group was short-lived. He will leave to create his own set, Empire Bakuba, with diluent and Papy Tex Diluloma Matolu. This vocal trio has experienced an exceptional longevity. Pepe Kalle evolve alongside his peers for more than 25 years in an environment where the dislocation bands seems to be the rule. It is also the one that imposed in this style of soukous harmonious polyphony performed by soloists phenomenal accuracy. Pepe Kalle’s songs speak directly to the people in plain language. Unlike many Congolese artists, he does not sing that love. Some of his tubes are passed into legend. These include: “Money does not buy happiness,” “God knows”, “Simplicity” … In the tradition of Franco, he also illustrated with texts double meaning, referring, not without a certain irony corrosive, the difficulties of daily life of his countrymen. Written in 1985, his song “Article 15, Do what you live for,” (Editor’s note: In this song, Pepe Kalle encourages Zaire at the time to invest in the informal economy to address the precarious economic situation that erodes the purchasing power of Zaire. This, in a context where unemployment affects almost all of the population) will be one of his greatest hits. Pepe Kalle has worked alongside big names in music such as Congolese and African Manu Lima, Boncana Maiga, Canta Nyboma, Papa Wemba, Lutumba Simaro, Mbilia fine. He distinguished himself by his knowledge and skills. Congolese music in the universe where the personality conflicts between players are commonplace, it was seen as a peaceful man and unifying. Like the artists who would not die. Pepe Kalle remains immortal through his music and the values ​​that characterized him. Copyright Radio Okapi
thx for that great album , and for all your passion in that blog

Thanks for this wonderful LP at last! Diblo on Lead! Lokassa Ya M’Bongo on Rhythm (one of the greatest rhythm guitarist of all time)! and Ngouma Lokito who is an excellent bassist and numeber one in my book trust me I am Soukousman after all haha. Keep it up with the Soukous you’re doing good and if you have the LP Ce Chale Carnival from Pepe can you post that too.

Please ,God, bring this man back to Earth. By loosing him so early the music we loved is almost on the graveyard..dying slowly!! He was a musician’s musician, and no mistake we will be joyfully dancing.
It is with heart that we listen to this lovely album;We miss you Pepe…
May he rest in peace

Yes Soukousman… that is great lineup!

Thanks a lot for this great album. Track#6 sounds like the instrumental of Track#3 “Ami Ya Bo Muana”.

Overflowing pot of honey! Such sweetness everywhere. Many thanks Moos. Apurva from Pune, India.

Thanks Moos. You posted a basic classic work which is remarkable. You put a great work of Pepe Kalle. Pepe Kalle made all these songs unique. Pepe Kalle sang well with a awesome solo of Diblo Dibala. Pepe Kalle was the greatest voice of Zaire. Rest in peace Pepe Kalle.