Michel Boyibanda was one of the singers in Franco’s O.K. Jazz and
on this 1978 re-issue we hear them perform together on at least eight
of the 12 songs. Tracks no. 1,2,11 and 12 are probably not with the
O.K. Jazz. Do we hear Verckys on saxophone ? This LP contains a
great version of the Cuban hitsong ‘Ven y ven y ven’, great cover.
One way or the other, the vinyl of this one is in very good condition,
still some of the numbers sound quite dusty. I guess in 1978 they
did not have the remastering techniques we’ve got today of course.
Another Pathé Marconi / EMI disc selected by Blaise Fayette Mikano.

tracks;

1 Equipement complet
2 Mokanda ya matala
3 Samba toko samba
4 Ata me ye bi
5 Masua enani
6 Envoutement
7 OK-Jazz elombe ngangate
8 Ven y ven y ven
9 Jeanine abimin’bue
10 Okomi na m’bemba
11 Sassa 1
12 Sassa 2

What a lot of great bands early seventies in Congo. I am posting
the music but am learning just as much as you folks. This collector
on african brings us more obscure artists from those days and although
I planned to make a move to a different African direction, you convinced me
to do another Congolese album today. The album starts with a sublime
track by Johnny Bokelo and his Orchestre Conga, sweet guitarsound,
and it ends with Franco’s O.K. Jazz and ‘Ou est le serieux?’. In between
quite a few names that are new to me too. Elegance Jazz, Surprise
Los Angel, Symba, Mando Negro Kwala-Kwa or Zembe-Zembe.
I didn’t know one of them and they all perform beautifully. We are also very
lucky the LP is in mint condition and sounds as new. I found this one at
the fair with a load of brothers and sisters, only now I slowly discover what
a treasurebox I bumped into. Happy to be in the opportunity to share
so much delightful music with you, we’re all lucky bastards here.

tracks;

1 Orchestre Conga – Ngoya
2 Orchestre Elegance-Jazz – Ngalula Marthe
3 Orchestre Surprise Los Angel – Tata nkento
4 Orchestre Symba – Mibali ya simba
5 Orchestre Bella-Bella – Nzamba mokonzi
6 Orchestre Elegance-Jazz – Lisumu lisango
7 Orchestre l’International Afrisa – Aon-Aon
8 Orchestre Mando Negro Kwala-Kwa – Massamba M.J.
9 Orchestre TP Zembe-Zembe – Kenge No 3
10 Orchestre TP O.K. Jazz – Ou est le serieux?

Groovers around the world,
another special find I recently did, is this one. It seems the entire
web was wondering what to find on african 360.094. I could not find
a single word about it. Well, here it is, and it’s a beauty. Orchestre
Shama-Shama led by Mopero Wa Maloba. I found out Mopero also
was the man behind Orchestre Cavacha and was somehow connected
to Zaiko Langa Langa. Another piece of the african 360.series puzzle falls in
place. Although from 1976, the LP looks as new, it does sound quite 70’s.
Can anyone give us some more information on Shama-Shama or Mopero?
Thank you very much in advance and enjoy listening to this rare gem.

tracks;

1 Basaleli ngai likita
2 Pamaphi
3 Bangambo ya moto
4 Mopaya loba
5 Mama aye
6 Kento emancipée

Formed around 1975 by Pierre Moutouari and his brother Michel.
Earlier he played in Orchestre Sinza with his other brother Kosmos
who was also a member of Les Bantous de la Capitale. Pierre
Moutouari moved on with his career in 1979 and went solo. Find
more on him at wiki .
The album also contains songs by Gabriel Dianzolo, Hyacinthe Malonga
and Gabriel Mienandi. Listen.

tracks;

1 Maria na lembi 1
2 Maria na lembi 2
3 Telex ya ba Sossa 1
4 Telex ya ba Sossa 2
5 Bolingo clemence 1
6 Bolingo clemence 2
7 Giza sokola motema
8 Zonguela ngai

From 1977 comes this album by les Mangelepa, a Congolese band
that operated in Kenya. To give you some decent information I’d better
redirect you to muzikifan .
As you may have seen I started a little enquete to see what lives most
among our visitors, it runs untill the 6th of may when the page has it’s two
year anniversary. Thanks for participating. Meantime we’re gonna do some
dancing with Orchestre Les Mangelepa, hope u enjoy.

tracks;

1 Mangelepa kamili
2 Sakina
3 Nganga-kimetu
4 Ekubuku

My dear groovers, I am thrilled to present to you, one of
the missing links at Bolingo’s african discography, a find
that makes me very happy. This is one of Congo’s greatest
bands, african 360.121, Orchestre Zaiko Langa Langa
with two tracks of the hand of Teddy Sukami, one by Bimi
Ombale and one by Lengi Lenga, enjoy!
Bolingo’s_great_discography

p.s. shady pic, waiting discs, see some u like?

tracks;

1 Bongo Bouger
2 Katshi
3 Miso lina
4 Dalo

Dizzy Mandjèkou’s first solo project after being the lead guitarist
of les Grands Maquisards, Afrisa International of Tabu-Ley Rochereau
and the African All Stars. Dizzy dedicated it to his fans from those days.
I was not aware at the time but still feel adressed to, how about you ?

tracks;

1 Saïla
2 Fanta bolingo
3 Qui a creé l’argent ???
4 Mady motema

One of Europe’s biggest recordfairs takes place in Utrecht twice
a year, this weekend is the next edition and I already had the
chance to pick a couple of gems from the enormous offer out there.
Go_here_to find_out_more. You can put it on English.
The first LP I want to share with you is this one, it hit me as soon as I
played it and recorded it straight away. I could not find any information
on Celi Bittsu on the web and ask you to fill me in on the subject.
Does the name concern a person or a group ?
It is released on the Sacodis label from Abidjan but the music sounds
Congolese, is it ? The language is quite certain Lingala, do you agree ?
A year of release maybe ? Track #3 is called after Sacodis’ great producer
Aboudou Lassissi who did this album too of course. I am sure you’re
gonna love this wonderful rarity, I certainly do, get it while you can.

tracks;

1 Matinda
2 Consalation
3 Lassissi
4 Okomi ndenge

To spoil you a bit more, I’m in a good mood today, this
dynamite Franco album, it’s one of his very best. Le Grand Maître
and his Stars in Nairobi rock like seldom before on this Edipop
Production. For the ultimate spring feeling of this first of april.
Volume up and dance around the place, pay attention to
that bass, let it rule your hips and let go.., enjoy.

tracks;

1 Franco & Madilu System – Boma ngai, ngai na boma yo
2 Franco & Gerry – Kuna okeyi obongisa
3 Franco & Kiwakana – Eperdement
4 Franco & Djompoy – Masikini

Mayaula Mayoni is one of the songwriters who worked with
Franco’s O.K. Jazz for some time. In fact this LP is made with
the orchestration of l’O.K. Jazz. Check out the musicians on this,
unfortunately, crackely record. To call a few names; Carlito Essou-
Doué, Malage de Lugendo, Ntesa Dalienst, Nana, Baniel, Dizzy
Mandjeku, Papa Noël Nedule and Empompo Loway. Not the least
as you can see. Although a bit noisy at some points, an album
that deserves a few spins. Enjoy it.

tracks;

1 Mizele
2 Poit carré
3 Chaty
4 Liwa