One of the most perfect Congolese albums I have ever heard
is this one by Papa Noel. He was one of the original members
of ‘Les Bantous de la Capitale’. I think his guitarwork on
this LP is simply impeccable. Unfortunately the backsleeve
doesn’t give one line of information about the rest of the
musicians, is that Malage doing vocals ? If anyone can tell
us, that would be great. In the mean time enjoy this
beautiful album.

tracks;

1 Selia Zozo
2 Madiabuana
3 Bel ami
4 Bon samaritain
5 Kizungu-zungu
6 Sisi

Although it does not sound that way, this LP was recorded
live at the 1-2-3. Tight stuff by le grand maitre like always.
With the ever great Lutumba Simaro, check it out.

tracks;

1 Tikaka kosenga
2 Tambou luntadila
3 Kabongo
4 Sema ya kinalo

I am not posting high tempo these days and this one
is to make up for it a little bit.

The Zaiko Langa Langa Orchestra concerned a large group of musicians.
Guitarist ‘Pela’ made this LP with two offshoots of the orchestra.
Uptempo Congolese Soukous, rhythm driven and great vocals.

tracks;

1 Zaiko wawawa
2 Maria Mea
3 Wele – wele
4 Doto

Last year I posted three different albums by ‘le Fantastic Pambou Tchicaya
Tchico’ with more or less the same cover as this one. Our friend and collegue
of Worldservice told me these are the Nigeria recordings. This is the last
one in my posession, does anyone know if there are more of them ?
There is something funny about the black and white picture of Tchico
on horseback. At first it looks kinda tough but if you look better
you notice they must have hoisted Tchico on the back of that poor mule.
With his freshly ironed white shirt and trousers he doesn’t really look
like he’s been riding, the immense shoes he’s wearing don’t even fit
in the horse’s stirrups. Maybe not a horseman but a truly great musician,
demonstrated by for one, the Cuban classic El Manicero, the Peanut vender.

tracks;

1 Brothers and sisters
2 Amie Clara
3 El manicero se va

I never heard of Pompon Kuleta untill I found this LP.
Neither could I find anything usefull on te world wide web.
What I do know, this is a fine album, very nice voice and
great back up band. With Sammy Massamba, Kabassele and other
artists that do not sound familiar to me.
Check it out and get back to me if you can enlighten us
on the subject.

tracks;

1 Faites attention
2 Ba souvenir
3 Bolingo lady
4 Mbula esili

It’s been a long time since the last Mbilia Bel post.
She was one one of the first female superstars of Africa when
she struck gold with Seigneur Tabu Ley and l’Afrisa International.
Mbilia Bel had a quite short and stormy career mid 80’s. ‘Creamy’
and ‘dreamy’ voice that makes her unforgettable.

tracks;

1 Ba gerants ya mabala
2 Ba jeu de coin
3 Paka wewe
4 Boni yo boye

Another fine Eddy’Son production from 1983. Congolese singer Pamelo
Mounk’a is back with this Paris recording. What can I say ?
Eddy Gustave always seemed to create the perfect atmosphere
with the perfect musicians. It all comes natural here, it’s only
half an hour of music but don’t miss it, Class A material.
A tiny bit of damage though, sorry.

tracks;

1 Laisse toi vivre Mamouni
2 Affaires de coeur
3 Yhiayhia dzellat
4 Mariaker

What do you think ?

I can see, by checking download figures, that most visitors of this
page are interested in African music. Latin scores reasonably well,
but Samba, Calypso and reggae not so well. The reggae part now
takes place at my parallel page. It did not fit in this formula
very much. The other styles match quite well I think, What
do you think ?

Here we have an example of some of that sweet African music.
Franco never failed to score yet, he was and is a master
in his style. Le grand maitre they called him, and that is
absolutely justified.

tracks;

1 Matata ya muasi na mobali ekoki kosila te
2 Radio Trottoir
3 Oko rgretter ngai mama
4 Mace
5 Bandeko na ya mibali basundoli ngai
6 Moleka

Here’s another Sam Mangwana on Eddy’Son’s label. This one is also from
1979. Eddy Gustave took care of the arrangements for this one.
The LP cover does not give any futher information and to be
honest, I can’t tell you a damn thing about it. I’d say,
just go and listen. It has a few scratches, just like you and me.
Check it.

tracks;

1 Matinda
2 Mbanda kazaka
3 Bi kumba-kumba
4 Djamo-djamo

This past week I posted an album by Rochereau with African Fiesta and
asked if anybody knew if Docteur Nico was participating. He was not on
that LP. Here is an album from 1985 on which we hear the doctor with
African Fiesta. These are older recordings made in 1963 ’64 ’65. Docteur
Nico is considered by many Africa’s greatest guitarist of modern times.
An important document you don’t want to miss.

Global Groove’s engineers are working on a better presentation.
Some minor problems still occur however. The quality of the images
for instance is still quite poor. We’re on top of that, soon come.

tracks;

1 Lolita
2 Lakisa bango
3 Au complet
4 Merengue president
5 Kiboloso
6 PB Zonga
7 Mambo Hawaienne
8 Me voy a cantar
9 Naleli godee
10 Libala bisengo
11 Tosa mpe banga
12 Na landa baninga
13 Na bendi nzoto