Lovers of Congolese music, here’s one for you. Johnny Bokelo
goes around quite some time. Somehow his music is good without
exeption, I liked all the albums I heard untill today. This 1981 LP
is not his first, Johnny started out in the sixties with Orchestre
Conga Succes, we saw a couple of songs on one of the l’Afrique
Danse series as Orchestre Conga Succes de Jean Bokelo.
Spread the word, Johnny Bokelo must be heard.

tracks;

1 M’bongo = l’argent
2 Ngai nakoku fa
3 Ngalulawa wa mama
4 Yayo nini yaya

Did you know Franco had a younger brother who was also lead guitarist ?
Bavon Marie Marie gained quite some popularity in the late sixties with
Leon Bholen and Orchestre Negro Succes. The band was formed by Vicky
Longomba in 1960 who came from Franco’s OK Jazz. After he made up with
Franco and returned to OK jazz, Bavon Marie Marie and Leon Bholen took over.
On this record we hear Bavon Marie Marie as lead guitarist probably for the last
time. He died shortly after it on august 5, 1970 in a tragic car accident.
Bavon Luambo Siongo 1944 – 1970.

tracks;

1 Magie
2 Bila François
3 Nakota zebola
4 Ngai mwana 15 ans
5 Bholen mwana ya mama Helene
6 Mabe ya Mbila
7 Maboke temoin
8 Moyeke ya cherie
9 Maika
10 Savon ya sika astra

Good evening, tonight’s LP is one in Franco’s Authenticité series.
Some time ago we had volumes 3 and 5, this is volume 1. It contains
numbers, recorded in 1961, 1962 and 1964 but was released in 1976.
Not the first time that while recording one of Franco’s LP’s, I think,
wow this is the nicest music I ever heard. More than beautyful!

tracks;

1 Liwa ya wech
2 Na likuanga na seli
3 Motema y fa fa
4 Amida muziki ya ok
5 Bomboko Justin
6 Isaac Ombele
7 Florette modele
8 Mpata ezangi mokengeli
9 Ona renseignement na bana ok
10 Ba katanga balingi toyo kana
11 Mboka nini okende
12 Nani ukunsimdila muana

I quote ‘World Music, The Rough Guide’ ; “The Congolese music scene really came
alive in 1953 with the inauguration of African Jazz, the first full-time recording and
performing orchestra, led by Joseph ‘Le Grand Kalle’ Kabassele.” The acknowledged
‘father of Congolese Rumba’ started his musical career as a 19 year old in 1949, having
‘an angel’s voice’. Some of the greatest artists made their name in this group, names
like Jean Serge Essous, Nino Malapet but also Nico Kassanda, better known as Docteur
Nico and Pascal Tabu Ley Rochereau.” Enjoy this 1986 compilation on african.

tracks;

1 African mokili mobimba
2 Bacara
3 Africa bola ngombi
4 Bombon sucre
5 Mayele mabe
6 Kayi Kayi
7 Succes African Jazz
8 Naboyi vie ya mbangu
9 Ennemi na ngai ya kala
10 El que siembra su maïz
11 Linda calegnita

Now this is what I would call Rumba Congolesa. In african’s great series
Les Merveilles du Passé, this beautyful collector with songs from 1963.
It contains three songs from the hand of Essou, who just recently
passed away, RIP. Other songs by Jojo, Papa Noël, Nino Malapet
and Kouka Celestin. If african opens up a box with historic material,
they make sure we’re left with nothing to wish for, sweet selection.

tracks;

1 Tokumisa Congo
2 Ngai Muana ya Adele
3 Nakomi revoquee
4 Cadi-jiji
5 Mobali-Liboso
6 Liteya ya tata
7 Tu silencio
8 Camarade Mabe
9 Bantous de la Capitale
10 Albert Akeyi

To add a little contrast with yesterday’s post, today an LP by
Orchestre Empire Bakuba but from the late eighties I am guessing.
Quite a different setting and sound, up tempo soukous this time.

tracks;

1 Amour Sanda
– Sango ya mawa
2 Trouble
– Ami cointro
3 Petshi pour Ida
– Moto pasi

What can I tell you about this LP ? It’s another collector
in the l’Afrique Danse series on the african label. It’s from
1976 and from the groups playing I only know Empire Bakuba,
I’m not sure if Pépé Kallé is already singing here, and Orchestre
Lipua-Lipua, the group in which Nyboma started. The other bands
passed by somewhere I remember but I can’t say anything usefull
about them. An hour of subtle Congolese music from
the mid seventies.

tracks;

1 Orchestre Bella Bella – Yakani 1&2
2 Orchestre Amelia – Madja 1&2
3 Orchestre Les Kamale – Ngali 1&2
4 Orchestre Bella Bella – Zamba 1&2
5 Orchestre Empire Bakuba – Massa 1&2
6 Orchestre Lipua-Lipua – Mbondo 1&2

To start 2010, a little New Year’s Party registration
with our good friend Franco. Opening with a suitable missile
Franco and Josky kick off this promising new year. Let’s not
ignore this good example and look forward with confidence,
Happy New Year !

tracks;

1 Missile
2 Chacun pour soi
3 Partage no 1
– Partage no 2

From 1970, in the Merveilles du Passé series, this one by
Orchestre African Fiesta. It has a few minor scratches but
that can’t break the spell, great from beginning to end.

tracks;

1 Mama Egee
2 Angola siempre
3 Merengue President Roger
4 Vivo Africa
5 Contentieux Belgo-Congolais
6 Mobembo eleki tata
7 A.M. Decantonio
8 Imana ya daring
9 Tremendo punto
10 Indicatif African Fiesta

I could not resist posting another album today. This one by the
African All Stars is without Sam Mangwana but with a couple of other
greats. Dizzy Mandjeku, Lokassa ya Mbongo, Kanta Nyboma and on drums
K. Moya Lotula Ringo. What a great band this is, better do not miss !
Made for the Nigerian Albarika Stores label.

tracks;

1 Antaley
2 Zamba leke
3 Cherie Amba
4 Samadou