Josky Kiambukuta & Madilu System Mondjo

Regardless of religion, this is a great album with Josky and Madilu singing their beautiful voices. It is so good for me. Josky and Madilu were one of the best duos I have had ever heard off. I enjoy this important situation. Josky and Madilu made a masterpiece work here.

Thanks for posting, DJ Moos!
“Prière” is actually a critique of human behaviour. The composer depicts the vice that has overshadowed human society since the mythical Garden of Eden. Human beings don’t love each other, witchcraft and gossip are all the rage; real friendship is neither here nor there; ingratitude is the order of the day, so much so that even the biblical redeemer wasn’t spared death under the hands of human beings. Inevitably, some religious metaphors find their way into the lyrics, not least at the end “o, eleki mingi, masumu … eleki mingi”. (… there’s too much transgression … too much).
The song indeed is in synch with a great tradition of Lingala music composers who have played a great role as moralisers. Verckys stunned the Church with his “Nakomitunaka”. Franco never minced words whenever he had to point the finger at evil in society. In the same vein, Simaro Massiya Lutumba castigated gossip in “Radio Trottoir”. Madilu here is simply carrying on a long-established tradition which he himself consolidated with hits like “Tu Vois?” and “Très Impoli” etc.

@ Moos : Thank you for providing another masterpiece. Kindly be aware that religion is part of Lingala culture. So please go on providing us with those masterpieces, even if the content is more or less about religion.
@ Timothy : Thank you for your explanation. Do you by chance have the lyrics of “Prière”? Shukrani!

Please be aware that I never mean to be rude. I can’t help to be alergic, been overdosed in my child years. Ever since I was a young child I was forced to pray and go to church by school and parents. There was no escape. I saw the hypocrisy from small, the priest bought a new Mercedes Benz every year while the poor family’s gave their savings for the church. I just hated every bit of it. My brother was abused by his katholic teachers and not just him. theer are loads of such stories around me. Then something else, money and religion are the two main reasons we have so much war in the world. In the name of God, I’m gonna smash your brains in. Can anyone defend such poisonous nonsense ? I am very sorry,..
I do not care if religion is part of some culture I play music from. I can only listen to rhythm, melody, beats and silences. As long if I don’t understand the words, fine. So please don’t go telling me what it’s all about, leave me listening, and not knowing.., ignorance is bliss..

@Joji:
I haven’t got the lyrics of “Prière” but if I get time to transcribe the song, I’ll e-mail the lyrics and translation to you (I’ve got your e-mail in that great Swahili-French dictionary you penned! :D)
@Moos:
It’s just a pity that the composer explicitly made allusions to one western religion. Music is sound. Sound is a form of energy. Physics teaches us that energy can be transformed from one form to another. Music-Sound-Light … one more step and you’re out of this world . That’s the power of music. Music … sound … light … no wonder the ancient druids revered the energy of the sun. And some mystics in the East meditate on sound … on one syllable which is the essence of sound, music, energy. You’re right to ditch institutionalised religion (I have too). I find a lot of solace in the seven notes ‘drmfslt’. (My apologies if the beauty of the Lingala language makes some of us start fiddling with dictionaries to find out what the musicians are saying. )

@ Moos : Understand and respect your point of view. But “religion is part of some culture”. It’s a fact. Allow me to listen and try to know (and understand.) Am not sure “ignorance is bliss..”
Anyway appreciate very much your efforts to provide us with that wonderful music. Thank you.

@ Timothy : Sawa! Asante kwa kusifu jasho langu!!

Unbelievably beautiful music from Rigo. In my book, his genius eclipses all others in the album. Many thanks. Apurva from Pune, India.

Irrespective of whether or not there are religious overtones in this LP, its a fantastic one.

I would higly recommend Carlytos ‘Frere Carlytos’ CD
Yes its a gospel CD but the musicianship is very good

Thanks for sharing this LP that I have loved for a long time.

Sincerely
wuod k

Most African music has its roots in religious music. If you are so allergic to religion in whatever form, you may not want to continue collecting this type of music. Though it would be a loss for us collectors. I also dislike what churches in the western world are doing, but that doesn`t keep me away from listing to religious music. At some point we all just need to drop a line, but it seems you haven`t found that line yet. I`m not sure if you`ve ever been to Africa before, if not, maybe you should go and see that their sermons are much different to what white people know. Anyways, thanks for sharing …