Afro Rythmes présente Orchestre Stukas
Lita Bembo, Afro Rythmes 198?

Lita Bembo’s Orchestre Stukas always finds a happy
listener. Only last week, one of our loyal visitors told me
how much they had changed his life. Well Matthew, I guess
this is your lucky day, I just found us this killer album
by them at the last big record fair in Utrecht. I think
it is super nice, hardly possible to stay in your chair,
those guitars keep going and going, man I bet
you’re bound to break loose, haha..
I challenge you..

I was playing this lp and studying the sleeve when my eye
fell on the words “photos réalisées au Rex Club”.
Was this really true? I know that place..I’ve been there..
Wow, it must have been in 1982 when I was on a trip to Paris by bus for
the weekend. We were with a large group of volunteers, all workers behind
the bar in ‘de Tagrijn’, a youth-center and stage in my old hometown.
It was on this trip that we accidentally ended up with a little group of four,
we were with two boys and two girls but just collegues and good friends.
Initially we thought we were going to a reggae-club. Some dread in the
subway had pointed us there. We came in a bit early I think, it was still
empty so we took a drink and waited for what became one of the greatest
nights of my life. When people started to fill the place, reality opened up
before us. We were the only white visitors in this wonderful African Club.
I remember like it was yesterday, saturday night at Club Rex, Rue des
Bonnes Nouvelles. A night, complete with Mister and Miss elections,
& dance competition. Now I come to think of it, it must have been just
around the time when Lita Bembo and his buddies were there.
We drank, smoked and danced till closing time, made plenty
of friends, oh my, it was such a wild, funny and happy
experience, I could never forget.. wow & damn..
how time flies, astonishing discovery..
I loved it there. Felt as black
as can be..

tracks;

1 Guelord – 4 saisons
2 Muana pauvre
3 Djodjo
4 Lupiano