Congolese post # 400 is here.
It would have been a real party
if all 400 would have working links
but nevertheless it is a happy post.
I’ve made us two compilations in the
Congo, Tours de Force series
and as always, I loved compiling them.
18 songs I love playing
and I hope you do too,
have fun..

vol.9, tracks;

1   Max Massengo – Masseke
2   le Canon du Zaïre – Monotonie
3   Daniel Engobo – Mag
4   La ‘Mus’ Africa – Atanazaudo kombo nangai
5   l’Orchestre Minzoto Wella-Wella – Pingula
6   Youlou Mabiala – Papy
7   Orchestre Super Tembessa – Yambi club tembessa
8   Minzoto ya Zaïre – Ilunga
9   Orchestre Bella-Bella – Lipua Lipua

vol.10, tracks;

1   Orchestre Shama-Shama – Mopaya loba
2   Nguashi Ntimbo & l’Orchestre Sentima – Citoyen pt.2
3   Celi Bittsu – Lassissi
4   Michel Boyibanda – Ba bijoux ya tchicaya
5   African Kings Pili Pili – Pepe pierrette
6   Orchestre Vévé – Sakumuna
7   Les Kamale – Salanga
8   l’Orchestre Bella Bella & Soki Vangu – Pambi ndoni
9   Johnny Bokelo Isenge – Liwa ya ndika somo

It was in august 2010 that I posted one of their albums, about
time to follow up that fine lp. Our friend dj Daudi from Ambiance
Congo used the first one of these tracks in his online radioshow in april.
Smooth piece of Brazzaville sound from the old days and
GG’s 399th Congolese post, # 400 is in the making.
Listen with pleasure..

tracks;

1   Foya d’ambiance
2   Tiana mwan’ou diosso
3   Devis ngoma
4   Ngambo

Fellow groovers goodmorning, ever since the GG started
in may 2008, we haven’t been working in such a slow pace.
The reason of course is the current situation in which I am
affraid to loose the content I’ve been working on so long.
Some of the dear blogs of colleague bloggers have just
dissappeared and it would be a real shame if that happened.
I am working on a new site but it takes quite some time to
realize. Meanwhile we keep posting stuff using the very
acceptable service of Zippyshare,
hang on, we’ll get there..

Today I ripped an lp by a group of which we had three lp’s
so far. A real treat of Ghanaian highlife made by one of the
style’s masters; Leo Nana Agyeman and his Opambuo Inter-
national Band of Ghana. The others are temporarily unavailable
due to dead links but as I told you, it’s all gonna come back.
For now, enjoy this fine work and hang on in there, cheers.

tracks;

1   Show me your love
2   Amma ghana
3   Me wu de ka agyamo
4   Hu anim ase nkyene
5   Nsuo ayire me

We had some of their albums already but this one is quite different.
The tracks are all melted together like we see on many lp’s from
Nigerian and Ghanaian bands. Their lp ’10 Ans d’Animation’ has the
same kind of structure. I am not sure if the line-up on this lp includes
the participation of the Moutouari brothers Michel and Kosmos. The
cover does not give us any useful information on the subject. Their
names do not appear as writers anyway. It is said that this group
once originated the ‘Soukous’ dance’, however on this here lp it
seems the ‘Cavacha’ dance with it’s swift light drums was still
dominant. Soukous was not born yet. Although the sound
quality is not perfect, + two nasty pops at the b-side,
an lp worth it’s while for lovers of the genre.

tracks;

1   Lélé
–    Bilanga sé bilanga
–    Musicien yé nani
–    Papi
2   Mama na blood
–    Elu ya motema no.2
–    Badi-landou
–    N’bonguela-mwana
–    Kidiba

This is the second lp by latin pianist Eddie Palmieri and his group
‘La Perfecta’. They were the originators of a sound called ‘trombanga’,
introducing two trombones and a flute instead of trumpets. This contributed
a lot to their early sixties succes in the New York latin scene. Later it was
also used by artists such as Willie Colon and Manny Oquendo among others.
The vocals on this 1963 album are taken care of by Ismael Quintana. Enjoy..

tracks;

1   El molestoso
2   Asi es la humanidad
3   Lazaro y su microfono
4   Contento estoy
5   Sabroso guaguanco
6   Yo sin ti
7   Co un amor se borra otro amor
8   En cadenas
9   La gioconda
10  No critiques

A treat from Empire Records in 1984 was this here record.
Some of the tracks had already been released as singles.
5 tracks by Don Carlos & Gold and 5 by the Gladiators
and we’ve got us this delightful slice of vinyl. I love the way they
had the a-side mixed by ‘Chemist’ and the b-side by ‘Scientist’,
two great dub-masters. Listen …

tracks;

Side-a, Don Carlos & Gold,
1   Black out in the ghetto
2   Fight fight
3   Roots rock party
4   Travelling so long
5   Not giving up

Side-b, The Gladiators,
6   A nuh everything
7   That nuh right
8   Can’t stop righteousness
9   Call me if you need me
10  You can’t say that I’m lying

After spending six years with Franco’s OK Jazz, Kiamanguana
Verckys, the ‘raucous honking’ sax player, set up Orchestre
Vévé and went on producing some of the hard core bands of the
Congolese seventies new wave. This lp is a product of that episode.
We see Verckys performing a quality check at the ‘Izason’ record
factury in Kinshasa ( in jeans ). Verckys’ productions on the ‘Editions
VeVe International’ label are highly recommended and this one by
Afro International de Mimi Ley is no exception. I can’t tell you
anything about the artist but the music speaks for it’s self.
Get it and spread it..

tracks;

1   Ngouashi
2   Alitalia
3   Couleur preferable
4   Kisimbi

On september 7 we had one of their albums and as promised
here’s another. Dada Thick or Akwasi Ampofo Adjei or the
Shining Star, call him how you like, is back at the GG to
make you realize how lovely his highlife is.
Listen and agree, wonderful music..

tracks;

1   Saa na nipa tee
2   Menfa ho
3   Okwantuni meko
4   Peme seye
5   Owuo yeya

Yesterday evening I went to a concert of Israel Vibration in the
Amsterdam ‘Melkweg’. They appeared with the Roots Radics
and pulled of a wonderful show. Ever since the departure of
Apple, I guess in 1997, the once so famous trio turned to
continue as a duo. I must say Skelly and Wiss made a
huge entree and had the Melkweg at their feet. Remarkable
was the fact they had three microphones while singing with
two. As if they meant to say; ” Whenever you feel like it,
Apple, you’re welcome to join us again..”  Absolutely
marvelous to find Errol ‘Flabba’ Holt and Dwight Pickney
( I thought it was Bingy Bunny ) still performing in the band
they founded in the seventies. After the show I had the
pleasure of meeting with Errol ‘Flabba’ Holt and be able to
tell him what a star and heroe he is.
An evening to remember, listen to an oldie,
Flabba in dub,…yes I…. seen.. ?

tracks;

1   Flabba dub
2   Screw face dub
3   Bronx bommers
4   Macka dub
5   Ark special
6   Satta dub
7   Criple man scank
8   Rub a dub style
9   Murder dub
10  Super special dub

It’s saturday and I am in a Congolese mood.
What do we have cookin’ for ya today ? An lp by one of the
finest singers who worked with the legendary Franco. Josky
Kiambukuta with his delightful voice brought along a few of
the best to accompany him. I am speaking about Madilu
Systeme, Ntesa Dalienst and Malage de Lugendo. Another
one of my heroes is lead guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku, famous
for working with Sam Mangwana and the African All Stars.
They have put together this absolute stunning album with
striking pleasure, that much is obvious, hope U like’m..

tracks;

1   Chandra
2   Namabele
3   Aziza
4   Mibali bosala attention