I went on a recordhunt last week and found me some great things.
This is Théo Blaise Kounkou, untill last week I didn’t
notice that I already had several LP’s with him singing
background vocals. When I read the information on the cover
and saw names like; Master Mwana, Bopol and Eddy’son, I knew
this had to be interesting. And indeed, I am now very happy I
bought 7 albums of Théo Blaise Kounkou and want to recommend
them to you. Another great Congolese vocalist entered
Global Groove, and we’re proud to have him.

tracks;

1 Bella Amicha
2 Lina essie
3 Mwana djambala
4 Fausse amitié

I have another ‘Lutumba’ for you but it has One Problem !
The first track; ‘Coeur Artificiel’ has a disturbing Tac..tac..tac
through the whole number, a real Big Shame !
Maybe one of you wizzkidz can remove it for us and send it back.
Unfortunately I don’t control those skills. On the other hand I
thought you wouldn’t want to miss it anyway, the other 3 songs
sound as they should. Have you seen the video’s I linked you to
at Worldservice yesterday ? Absolutely amazing to see how
Lutumba plays that guitar, if you didn’t, go watch it !

tracks;

1 Coeur artificiel
2 Mangassa
3 Sindo na Bruxelles
4 Maclebert

To end this evening of great Congolese singers, this le T.P.O.K. Jazz.
It’s a special jubilee release with Franco and Le Poete
Lutumba Simaro, our friend and collegue of Worldservice
knows_more_details.

He’s the one with the specific background information,
I’m doing the smalltalk and this old record.
Check it out.

tracks;

1 Testament ya bowule
2 Vaccination
3 Tala merçi ba pesaka mbua
4 Aminata na zangi visa

The second album to come out on SAM records ( Système Art Musique ).
Great guitar work by Syran, Pablo and Sammy Massamba.
Sam Mangwana brings ode to fellow African country’s, Zimbabwe
and Cameroun. Grab it.

tracks;

1 Maria Tebbo
2 Tchimurenga Zimbabwe
3 Bana ba Cameroun

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