Congo’s greatest singer of all time is Tabu Ley Rochereau.
On this album we hear him perform with Orchestre Afrisa International.
These recordings from the early 70’s have such a subtel relaxed
sound, you wouldn’t want to miss. Listen.

tracks;

1 Kaful mayay 1 & 2
2 Mayeya
3 Mass media
4 Nzale
5 Mose – Konzo
6 Bala bala
7 Aon-aon
8 Lisala ngomba

When I see a record on Eddy’Son’s label I am immediately alert.
So when I saw this one passing, what can I say ? Master Mwana
and Syran on guitar, Theo Blaise backing vocals.
It was not a real gamble. David ‘Fefe’ Diambouana comes in with
an album I liked from the first tones.

People, I must correct myself here,
comparing this music with Franco or Mangwana, I just found
out that only the 4th track is in Lingala, Congolese, the other
three are in some other language. Not understanding the language
and only assuming it’s Congolese because at least 3 musicians are,
was jumping on conclusions too fast. David Diambouana is from
Brazzaville Congo according to ‘Ambiance Congo’.
Can any one tell us the inside on this topic ?
What is the language sung in the first 3 songs ?

tracks;

1 Nikeumbu kuaya-bika
2 Maman Cathie
3 Angue maman
4 Kisi ya bolingo

It was such a day today, I blew two rippings in a row and thought;
‘Okay, let’s wait a couple of hours and start all over’.

Just one post today so I made it with a special album.
This is one of the LP’s that made me fall in love with
African music. It was 1981 when Island Records threw it
in the middle of us. We danced around it like crazy, and
I still do. It is in one word ‘Superb’.
Put it on, volume up, stand in the middle of your room,
now let go…
Sound d’Afrique 2 will follow.

tracks;

1 Mekongo – Me bowa ya ( Cameroun )
2 Eba Aka Jerome – Massoua mo ( Ivory Coast )
3 Kambou Clement – Dounougnan ( Upper Volta )
4 Pablo – Bo mbanda ( Zaire )
5 Etoile de Dakar – Jalo ( Senegal )
6 Menga Mokombi – Moboma ( Congo )

Luambo Makiadi or Franco started out as a guitarplayer back in 1953
at the age of 14. He grew out to be a legend which he remains even
today. Franco died in 1989.
In 1956 he helped found OK Jazz ( OK = Orchestre Kinois,
a Kinois is someone from Kinshasa ). This recording is from the
days ( I quote Rough Guide ) “Franco had an ambivalent relationship
with the state. He was a true patriot, but he also felled
compelled to speak his mind and, while he was an essential
element in Mobutu’s authenticité programme, he was also
reprimanded and jailed more than once and several of his records
were banned.” Track 2 and 3 contain some spoken parts in which
political statements are made. Rare material and very nice.

tracks;

1 Cinq ans Ekoki
2 Salongo alinga mosala
3 Votez vert
4 Epublique du Zaire
5 Tolanda nzela moko
6 Ba depute mbilinga-mbilinga toboyi
7 Belela authenticite na congres ya mpr 1er
8 Belela authenticite na congres ya mpr 2e

Docteur Nico comes in with this 1983 album, It’s most
certainly not his best. I am posting it because it’s
the only one I’ve got and I like to use it to show you
a very nice film at Worldservice,
a blog you’ll like to know.
If you like to know more about Docteur Nico, check_this.
Both sides of this LP contain one good and one less good song.

tracks;

1 L’amour sans frontière
2 La ville endormie
3 Uempol
4 Saperli popette

Fnal post tonight is claimed by ‘Le Grand Maitre Franco’.
Ekaba-kaba was waiting some time on the postingpile already.
Franco practically can’t go wrong to my opinion, 29 minutes,
only three songs, but great stuff like always.

tracks;

1 Ekaba – Kaba
2 Mobembo ekosila titi
3 Cherie A

The London Stern’s label always brings quality in African music.
Mose Se Sengo ‘Fan Fan’ used to be Franco’s sideman for years.
Since he moved to England in 1984 he’s become known and loved for
his hard-charging guitar style.( ‘Rough Guide’ )
I especially like the hornsection on this ’85 London session.

tracks;

1 Mose se 2000
2 Masikini ya mola
3 Jamy jamy
4 Mele
5 Cheko

From Congo ( Zaire in those days ) this is Nyboma, who shared his
membership of the African All Stars with Sam Mangwana.
Before that, he participated in groups like ‘Les Kamalés’,
‘L’Orchestre National du Zaire’ and ‘L’Orchestre Lipua Lipua’.
Unfortunately, track 1 and 3 have some ticks, still, a beauty.

tracks;

1 Doublé doublé
2 Papy Sodolo
3 Kabanga
4 Asso M’Bele

Another very buisy day, so since I won’t have the time later,
an early posting.
It’s been some time ago I posted Congolese Soukous, need to make up.
Belly Steve comes in at Global Groove with a delightful album.
The fragile voices of les Soeurs Mariana added up, a great spin.

tracks;

1 Lu Buya
2 Tulante ya meinu
3 Seni samba
4 Yame yame

Their biggest hit was the hilarious ‘Jeannot’, ‘Ou est le serieux ?’
This is great Soukous from 1979, a dance classic.

tracks;

1 Jeannot
2 Zena-Maiga
3 Anta, n’écoute pas les on-dit
4 Aminata haiball