Last night, I had a meeting with my Congolese friends Serge and Joe
in Amsterdam. We had a couple of beers and went watching Youtube
video’s and listening to music by, among others, Djo Nolo, Madilu
System and Lita Bembo & Stuka Boys. I had a good time and when I
came home, I dived into my little phonotheque to look if I have any
of that stuff for you. I found this Franco album, a Belgium release,
on which we see a picture of a Djo performing. I am not sure but
is it Djo Nolo who participates on this LP? Other great artists on
the album are Ntesa Dalienst, Ndombe Opetum and Lutumba Simaro.
Please leave a comment if you can enlighten us on the subject.

We are also preparing for an African dance evening on friday,
the 27th of august in a bar in Hilversum, my hometown.
It will take place during ‘Hilversum on Air’, a weekend with
several live acts and other music related events. Stay tuned for
more info, and when you live in the neighbourhood, consider a visit.
We still have a week or 6.

tracks;

1 Liyanzi ekoti na motema
2 Youyou
3 Na komipesa na nani
4 Kadima

Ripping LP’s is not always as much fun as it should be. There are days
you start recording and blow one disc after another. I remain calm
at most times, but it can spoil my mood and make me throw aside
an album from time to time. This is what happened with this one last
week, so let’s try again.

Youlou Mabiala made quite some solo albums after he sang with
Franco’s OK Jazz. This here LP is from 1987, listen.

tracks;

1 Mon avocat a voyagé
2 Tubela
3 Djeliba
4 Ma-vali

This collector is from 1977 but contains a couple of songs from
a little earlier. Fifi is from 1973 and tracks 1 and 4 from 1976.
Very sweet material by one of Africa’s greatest saxplayers.

tracks;

1 Baluti 1&2
2 Muana mburu 1&2
3 Nakoma juste 1&2
4 Mikolo mileki mingi 1&2
5 Bilobela 1&2
6 Fifi

A couple of weeks ago I posted an album by Lutumba Simaro that
appeared to be a fake. To make up to all of his fans, today a real
one. This time I’m sure we are dealing with the real Lutumba.
4 years after the death of le Grand Maitre Luambo Franco.

tracks;

1 Dati Pétrole
2 Bilonda
3 Ono Bienvenu
4 Mumune
5 Ofela
6 M.T. Inongo

An outstanding album by one of the greatest Congolese singers
of all time is this one. This LP contains some historical tracks,
Rochereau’s sweet voice was, and still is, a winner. Listen.

tracks;

1 Mokitani ya wendo
2 Christine
3 Mua metela wa tshikuluka
4 Nakoli kotika yo te ! Papa
5 Marie Clara
6 Hortense
7 Song + song = songi songi
8 Longo

Pambou Tchicaya Tchico is back with another album from his
Nigerian period. Tchico’s albums are hot already but these
are even hotter. This is the fifth album with more or less
the same cover. Well, as long as the music is this good,
who cares? What can I say? Fantastic Tchico
is simply Fantastic.

tracks;

1 Méditation
2 Mieux vaut tard que jamais
3 Lettre ouverte à mon époux
4 Zebola

Another great Congolese guitarplayer is Johnny Bokelo.
This LP doesn’t have a year, can you tell us what it is ?
I can only tell you it’s a very nice album, and know nothing
more about it, I’d say just down it and go listen..

tracks;

1 A.S. Biliman
2 Yeba mabe nayo
3 Ozangi Nbanda
4 Okomisi mimi

Le Grand Maitre Franco is still Master if we speak of Congolese music.
He has been on the scene for decades and his style changed continually.
This is some of his work from the early eighties, it has that hypnotic
rhythm I like so much, it goes on and on and makes you want to dance
till dawn. check it..

tracks;

1 Bina nangai na respect pt.1
2 Bina nangai na respect pt.2
3 Mobali malamu
4 Mujinga

With only two songs and just over 14 minutes of playingtime,
we can hardly call this Long Play. It is more like a 12″single
on 33 rotations per minute. Sam Mangwana delivers 2 very nice tracks
though which you wouldn’t like to miss. Backcover information doesn’t
give any other credits but I know it is recorded with the great Franco.
Enjoy this.

tracks;

1 Vamos para o campo
2 Moçambique Oyé

Pambou Tchicaya Denis or short, Tchico is back at the GG with an
album from 1983. It’s a very sweet sounding one by Africa’s Golden
Voice, produced on the smooth side this one goes in like honey.

tracks;

1 Giselle
2 Kathy
3 Loango
4 Marriage