Sea Never Dry

N'gola Ritmos

2010-08-11T18:56:00.012+03:00

I haven't had much luck in finding old Angolan vinyl. Dear friends (Thanks, Kris & Lay!) were looking around a couple of months ago in Quito but said the war destroyed a lot, including old LPs, and rich Angolans are also on the hunt for music. Maybe some will turn up in time.

I have a list of bands I'd love to hear more of, and N'gola Ritmos is high on the list. Even more, now that I saw these videos (from RTP, 1964). In awe of Monami and Lourdes Van Dunem. Amazing!

There's also a book on that list: Marissa Jean Moorman's "Intonations: A Social History of Music and Nation in Luanda, Angola, from 1945 to Recent Times" (2008, Ohio University Press). Moorman is professor of African history at Indiana University. She writes:

N’gola Ritmos formed in 1947 and continued until the 1970s with various combinations of musicians including two female vocalists, Belita Palma and Lourdes Van Dunem. In the early 1960s some founding members were sent off to prison or exiled from Luanda to other provinces on temporary work assignments. The band played in a variety of venues in the capital, from the birthday parties of friends and families to the Liga, the city’s cinemas, and even the governer’s palace, as well as in other provinces. Carlos do Aniceto “Liceu” Vieira Dias was the group’s founder. Angolan musicologists credit Vieira Dias with translating songs of rural derivation into a popular music that was danceable and, in so doing, unleashing the development of urban popular music and in the particular the form known as semba.

Enjoy these, read up, and do let me know if you find N'gola Ritmos LPs (or even crazier, have double copies for sale)!

Franklin Boukaka

2010-08-08T23:10:00.007+03:00

Franklin Boukaka was an amazing composer, poet, and activist. I wonder what he might have become if he wasn't executed in 1972, after a failed coup in Congo Brazzaville. His short career (he was 32 when he died) spanned work with Negro Band (which he helped start), then African Jazz/Vox Africa, and Cercul Jazz. More on Boukaka can be found at WorldService. This album from 1970, arranged and directed by Manu Dibango, is a classic.

Franklin also recorded with Keletigui et ses Tambourinis (and toured with them in Guinee). One of those tracks is on the Stern's Keletigui compilation, thanks to the restoration work by Graeme Counsel.

Le Bucheron
Nakoki
Likambo Oyo
Bomoto
Ata Ozali
Pont Sur Le Congo
Luzolo
Mwanga
Dia Bikola
Bibi

Bantous

2010-07-28T21:46:00.004+03:00

I'm sorry I missed the tour of Les Bantous (de la Capitale) last year. It was the last time Jean Serge Essous performed; he passed away last year in Brazzaville. The Bantous were integral to much of the music that came out of Congo: OK Jazz, Rock-A-Mambo, Ryco Jazz, Negro Jazz, ...

Here's a not-so-old album (early 1980s) with 4 classic grooves.

Les Bantous - Bilanda-landa Mabe
Les Bantous - Dege
Les Bantous - Osala Ngai Nini
Les Bantous - Querida Paola

Jazz Babalou

2010-07-24T17:40:00.005+03:00

Phil-Philo's Jazz Babalou was one of the bands on the Ngoma label. Not much is known about Phil-Philo. The liner notes of this 45 (Ngoma 4531/32) state: Phil-Philo was born in 1942 in the Bas-Congo province. After excellent studies, he quit school, drawn to music. First as singer, then composer, he set up his own orchestra, Viviane-Mambo, which was later renamed into Jazz Babalou. His songs are "inspired by woman and her infidelity." Augustin Bakome plays sax on these tunes.

Phil-Philo & Jazz Babalou - Batela Elaka Na Ngai
Phil-Philo & Jazz Babalou - Yo Okei Otiki Ngai?
Mario Lopes & Jazz Babalou - Ye Ye
Mario Lopes & Jazz Babalou - Cleo Wa Mabanzo

P.S. If you haven't heard of Baloji, check out the sounds and video. Love the Karibu Ya Bintou video shot in Kin, as well as the remake and video of Independence Cha Cha. After a tour of Congolese cities earlier this year (no minor feat!), he's playing around Europe this summer.

Leon Bukasa & Beguen Band

2010-07-22T22:13:00.006+03:00

Well, I can't seem to go around the Congolese Independence. Worldservice has published excellent info on Leon Bukasa and the early Ngoma years, I am not going to add text and just play the music.

These are from one of those early Ngoma 45s, both tracks celebrate the independence. I don't recall that Wrldsrv posted these already so it's my way to say, Thanks Stefan!, for all the rarities and stories you have posted.

Leon Bukasa & Beguen Band - Tokanisa Kongo Ya Biso (Let's think about our Kongo)
Leon Bukasa & Beguen Band - Bukole

Bakuba Emperor

2010-07-22T19:00:00.001+03:00

Kabasele Yampanya, known as Pepe Kalle, was a great performer and a giant of a man. His house in Kinshasa was open to anyone. His later songs (like Moyibi and a modern version of Bakoule -- I have been looking for this modern version; I have it somewhere in my cassette collection that's gathering dust) are much more well-known than these old tracks I am posting today.

Congo's 50th birthday festivities are now over, as are those of the world cup (no more vuvuzelas buzzing at night from all the radios and television in the neighborhood). Life goes on. As does this blog. Enjoy.

Orchestre Empire Bakuba - Kombe Dilu
Orchestre Empire Bakuba - Naleleli Pt. 1 & 2
Orchestre Empire de Bakuba - Massa Pt. 1 & 2
Orchestre Les Bakuba - Likabu Mabe

From Rock-A-Mambo To Orchestre Bantou

2009-09-24T22:14:00.007+03:00

On the A side of this 45 -- a Pathe-Marconi edition, originally released on the Esengo label -- you get Nino (Malapet) and Rock-A-Mambo; on the B side, (Edouard) Edo (Ganga) and (Jean Serge) Essous with Orchestre Bantou. All representing the best of Kinshasa's musicians and orchestras in the 1950s, from Negro Jazz and African Jazz to OK Jazz.

I'm still searching for another 45 by Rock-A-Mambo: ESDF 1372 which has the Orchestra performing with Kabasele and African Jazz. It has a track called "Les Voyous" (delinquent, rascal) which I'd love to hear. Well, to be honest, I'd love to listen to it all. Check muzikifan's discography of Rock-A-Mambo.

Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo - Yamare
Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo - Iyele
Orchestre Bantou - Nalembi Bipale
Orchestre Bantou - Ah! Que Pena

The New Rhythm of The Time

2009-09-23T17:50:00.005+03:00

Several folks have asked to hear more of Rock-A-Mambo. Going back in time, to the 1950s, Rock-A-Mambo was a predecessor of Orchestre Bantous (de la Capitale).

More on Bantous later: they are (were?) back on tour, celebrating 50 years of performing!

I posted one track of this Rock-A-Mambo 45 a long time ago (2004!) in a guest post at Bennloxo. I cannot get enough of the rocamambu rhythms and hope to find more 45s some day.

Post title from the beginning of Panchita: .. el nuevo ritmo del tiempo...

Here are all the tracks:

Baila
Serenade Sentimentale
Jalousie
Panchita

Poly Rythmo

2009-09-05T16:04:00.011+03:00

The legendary Poly Rythmo is touring Europe this September (France, Holland, Belgium, UK). It's the first time they will be performing in Europe and going by these recent clips (of rehearsals in Cotonou and the first concert in Holland), I wish I was up north right now and could see them live.

Clip 1 & Clip 2: Orchestre Poly Rythmo 2009. Clip 3: Venlo Concert, Sept. 2009

If you're (still) wondering what they sound like, listen to this 45 by the prolific orchestra: a composition by Joachim Boya, performed by Eskill Lohento and Poly Rythmo (Editions Satel 129).

Bon Weekend - Poly Rythmo
Production - Poly Rythmo

Want more? Miles Cleret (of Soundwayrecords) put up his favourite tracks of the orchestra (85 min).

Enjoy your weekend wherever you are & if you can, go support and dance with Poly Rythmo.

Victoria?

2009-08-27T20:47:00.009+03:00

Can't figure out who this is. Let me know if you have more information.

It's a Victoria 45 with two tracks:

Bosco Mpangi ya munu ('Bosco My Friend' in Kikongo) on Side 1. Author/Composer Jean Bosco (but it doesn't sound much like Jean Bosco Mwenda from Likasi/Lubumbashi?).

Emile Molangi on Side 2. Author/composer Backirimbia. Never heard of this composer and can't fnd any information.

Tabou National

2009-08-24T22:28:00.007+03:00

Tabou National started in Kin but this version of the band had a foot in Nairobi. The song has Lingala and Swahili lyrics. The band went through several configurations, as many of the Congolese bands that started in Kin and later drifted to East Africa. Muzikifan put up a great overview of the messy history of 1970s and 1980s bands in East African cities. The 45 states this was a 1976 composition by Fataki Lokassa and (?) Bokake.

I just love the pace of this groove. Enjoy Part 1 and Part 2 of Makale Nawe.

(Joe, thanks for uploading files! There's plenty more uploaded so there will be more posts soon: more old Congolese, some more Zambian tunes.)

In the meantime, I am still thoroughly enjoying and dancing to tunes from Zim and Beto (incredible cumbias). Thanks!

Eagerly waiting to hear new releases by AnalogAfrica and SoundwayRecords. I tried to find a copy of the Vodoun Effect last December in Belgium but failed; now Legends of Benin is also out! 'Broadband' tariffs are getting a bit cheaper here, and our internet provider cut its rate 50% so I'll splurge and finally download some more of Frank's Voodoofunk 'latest' mixes.

Check out Dr.Frank's Afroburo on Radio Centraal in Antwerp, now streaming live. He hosted Verckys and there's a 3-hour interview online.

And on africanhiphop, old-school Nigerian Rap (courtesy of combandrazor's Uchenna and Thomas, aka Juma4).

Gabon Funk

2008-12-22T20:54:00.009+03:00

Here's another 45 I found in Dakar. I haven't come across a lot of Gabonese music but Gabon must have had its share of good music. Libreville (French for Freetown) is a port town, that grew rapidly in the 1970s because of oil, which usually means plenty of travelling musicians coming through.

Vyckoss Ekondo grew up in Libreville and started his musical career at the Lycee Leon M'ba (M'ba was Gabon's first president; the second and current president is Omar Bongo, the world's longest serving ruler, excluding monarchies).

After further studies in Canada, Vyckoss returned to Gabon and became a well-known television presenter, hosting the popular 'Sunday Idol' show, a launching pad for many young bands. He also composed soundtracks and in the 1980s started a musical troupe, combining traditional dance and initiation rhythms. Check out his Tandima group (in French).

Funny how I found this in Dakar. The reason for going to Dakar was a conference which should have been held in Libreville (in 2007), but was re-scheduled and moved to Dakar. Maybe I'll get another chance to go to Gabon: several people have told me Libreville is a happening place.

For now, enjoy these 45 sides:

Vyckoss - Dibenga (L'Incredule)

Vyckoss - Mbea (L'Aigle)

I Got The Feelin

2008-12-22T18:39:00.000+03:00

Victor 'Bovick' Bondo Gala turned 60 this year. In Gary Stewart's Rumba On The River, there's not much information about him, except a few lines mentioning his membership in Dr. Nico's Orchestre African Fiesta, Tabu Ley's Afrisa, and Verckys' Orchestre VeVe. I've always been fascinated by this 'Bovick' since hearing tunes like Sookie and Save Me (see Radiodiffusion Internationasionaal Annexe or Voodoo Funk).

Bovick grew up in Lubumbashi (then Elisabethville). Being close to southern Africa, Bovick was exposed to more Anglophone influences and music. He also got to know some English. When he joined Dr. Nico's African Fiesta in the late 1960s, he helped popularize the Orchestra's fame in Kinshasa, no doubt because of his knowledge of American Soul (and some say his resemblance to Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson Five helped his strong appeal among the young girls of Kinshasa). An accomplished musician (guitar, bass), he stayed with Dr. Nico for two years. Then he joined Verckys' new Orchestre Veve, where he probably could explore his musical interests into soul and r&b further, with the likes of Mario, Djeskain, and Max Sinatra, of later Trio Madjesi fame. I wonder how many compositions should actually be credited to Bovick; it is clear he played a bigger role than has been acknowledged.

Later, he also played and became 'Chef d'Orchestre' with Tabu Ley. During one concert tour in Europe, a couple of musicians, including Bovick, decided to stay in France. Bovick eventually settled in Switzerland, where he continues his musical career, playing, teaching, setting up studios, and selling musical equipment.

During a short work visit to Dakar, I managed to find some vinyl, including this 45 (SUKISA 86). On the B-side, there's another great Bovick tune, "I got the feelin." It's so much fun to discover this piece of Africa's vast musical history. I've never heard this before, nor seen it elsewhere. I will post more of these soon; I know it's been very calm on this blog the last months but there's more to come.

Enjoy,

I Got The Feelin

Zambian Rock Revisited Mix

2008-05-30T17:20:00.005+03:00

A while ago, (anonymous) G begged for more of The Peace. Well, you can find 8 tracks from the Black Power LP on Prog Not Frog. Peaceful Man is one of my favorite tracks but the whole album continues to wow me. Have a listen to "I have got no money" and "Ubalwa na chamba." Originally posted in 2005 on (now defunct) akwaabasound, a blog started with dj friends in Chicago, I don't remember when/how the other rips got to Prog Not Frog. They're there now (link in comments), so enjoy the other tracks. The Black Power LP is one I'd like to see reissued (AnalogAfrica venturing south to Zambia anytime soon?).

I'm posting a few more Zambian tunes in the same vein of gritty rock and funk, copperbelt style. There's not much information about these bands around; Cool Knights and 5 Revolutions were bands tied to Edward Khuzwayo's Zambian Music Parlour in Ndola. Blackfoot is a Goodson Nguni production; The Sentries' LP is a Teal Record Company release.

The Sentries - Sentry Connection
Blackfoot - Groovy Bone
Blackfoot - Sundie's Popcorn
5 Revolutions - Adaka Mwapulumuka Kunjala
5 Revolutions - You Don't Know Me
5 Revolutions - Respect Yourself
5 Revolutions - Kulemela Kwa Bambo Wanga
Cool Knights - Soul Bana Mulenga

Revolution Rocks

2008-03-30T23:35:00.005+03:00

I haven't found much information on this album. It was released in 1976 by D.G.A.C. (Direction Generale des Affaires Culturelles du Congo - General Administration of Congolese Cultural Affairs, Congo-Brazzaville). It's a celebration of the national musical talent, enlisted to uplift Congo' scientific socialism of the time. For French-speakers, there's Vision, a lament about slavery's chains, imperialist orders, and popular revolutions.

Congolese coups, assasinations, and revolutions aside (Congo-Brazza saw its share of those), this album showcases the talents of master musicians like Essous, Pandi, Malapet, Ricky Malonga, and Passy Mermans. At that time, 1976, they already had a long history behind them in bands like Bantous de la Capitale and Rock-A-Mambo (as well given serious infusions to Franco's OK Jazz), and here the musicians sound like they're having fun with musical experiments, a revolutionary version of Tokumisa Congo (We congratulate Congo) in Ah Congo! and straight classic grooves like Pembe Kanisa.

It's a great album. I never heard or saw a Volume 2...

Orchestre National du Congo - Ntima Ngongo
Orchestre National du Congo - Pembe Kanisa
Orchestre National du Congo - Kintuari
Orchestre National du Congo - Ah Congo!
Orchestre National du Congo - Vision

Ready for Veve Star?

2008-02-25T23:18:00.007+03:00

I met up with Jontwa, a good friend, here in Mwanza. Jontwa loves my music collection; he's especially blown away by the second Congotronics release (which you should get, if you haven't already).

A while ago, Jontwa had called and said he'd found an mzee (Swahili for old man) with a big box of records. After several missed meetings, we finally managed to visit the old man, Janepaa (Jean-Pierre), quite a character: born in Mbandaka, Equator Province in Congo, sometime after WWI, adventured to Tanganyika after WWII, worked as a airplane/helicopter mechanic, and was also connected with Orchestre Makassy in some shape or form. I'll have to visit Janepaa again soon to hear all his stories (and he's got more music).

The big box of records had about 300 45s, some in plastic sleeves (as well as a bible in braille!). Lots of Congolese stuff and Kenyan-Congolese bands like Les Mangelepa. Most are in need of a very thorough cleaning but not all: I couldn't resist putting one 45 up even though there's some crackle here and there. Orchestre Veve Star's Nitarudia (I'll Come Back). You may have heard Veve Star's Bassala Hot before (on Frank's Voodoofunk) but I hadn't yet heard this track. Veve Star is probably an off-shoot of Verckys' Orchestre Veve. 'Verckys' Kiamuangana Mateta plays the saxophone. Verckys has been one of the most infuential music producers in Congo and scored many hits on his label, Editions Veve. Verckys continues to be involved in the music scene, as president of the Congolese Musician Union. A great retrospective reissue is this Vintage Verckys compilation, but this gem wasn't on it...

Orchestre Veve Star - Nitarudia Pt.1 & Pt.2

Keba, Mama, Keba!*

2008-02-06T00:01:00.001+03:00

(*Watch out, mama, watch out!)

In the 1950s, Lipopo (aka Leopoldville, now Kinshasa) saw its population swell to 400,000. More than half were under 18. There were already few economic opportunities for them and, with rebellion and war in the interior, even more youth ventured to the capital.

At the end of the 1950s, several movie theatres opened up in the popular neighborhoods and youth flocked to them. Westerns, especially those with the adventures of Buffalo Bill and Pecos Bill, were wildly successful. So much so that youth gangs popped up, taking on American names like Bills or Yankees of Ngiri-Ngiri and riding bicycle-horses through the streets and chanting Bill-Oyee! Young delinquents found their culture hero in the buffalo hunter Bill. This phenomenon of the Bills who spoke Hindoubill had a wide impact: the late Mzee Kabila was also known as Sheriff and favored Stetson hats (and, in the past weeks, you may have seen Raila Odinga with a cowboy hat in Kenya).

At about the same time, Jef De Laet, a Belgian Scheutist, arrived in Lipopo. After teaching in Matete, he became the parish priest of Ngiri-Ngiri where the Bills roamed and started working with the youth. Father Jef quickly became known as 'Pere Buffalo' through his work of channeling youth energies into a positive and more organized movement, following the example of the Flemish 'Catholic Worker Youth'. In the latter half of the 1960s, he helped start Minzoto Ya Zaire (and its successors), The Stars of Zaire, as well as a cultural centre, Cabaret Liyoto, which featured a recording studio.

Out of the Bills, with Minzoto as one example, arose a new generation of musicians and bands, like Zaiko and Bozi Boziana, livening up the Kinshasa scene. Pere Buffalo continued to work in Zaire/Congo into the 1980s, had to leave a while because of troubles with Mobutu, and returned in the 1990s to the Equatorial forest. Health problems caused his return to Belgium where he lives today, as a parish priest, and once again he started up a multicultural centre, Nganda (The Bills used to hang out in houses, first called 'ranches' or 'temples', then 'nganda', a hang-out near a bar or restaurant).

The Minzoto sound is much different from the Congolese 'rumba' most people know. There's much inspiration and borrowing from folklore, traditional music, and reworkings of religious hymns like Kyrie Eleison.

Below are 4 tracks from two albums, the self-titled Minzoto Ya Zaire and Zaire Folk Pop.

Pictures are by Depara, Angolan-born photographer, who set up his 'Jean Whisky Depara Studio in Kinshasa in the 1950s. The official photographer of Franco (who also showed some Bill-traits in early shots with checkered shirts), Depara became the chronicler of Kin's nightlife. He passed away in 1997. Check Gallery51 or Contemporary African Art Collection for more information.

To read more on the Bills:
Filip De Boeck & Marie-Francoise Plissart's Kinshasa: Tales of the Invisible City. Read/download the last chapter here.
Ch. Didier Gondola, 1997. Villes Miroirs: migrations et identites urbaines a Brazzaville et Kinshasa, 1930-1970.

Minzoto ya Zaire - Ilunga
"The girl is called Ilunga. We know each other since the days we sat on the school benches. Be careful now that you are grown up. The love we had for each other from childhood days on cannot get lost, but let it grow and blossom into a happy marriage. (Soul rhythm)"
Minzoto ya Zaire - Kayamba
"Be good to strangers. Look at them as people without skin and bones. (from Kasai region)"
Minzoto ya Zaire - Koni Vuka
"A song from a legend. Ivuka has been murdered of jealousy. His wife chants the glory of her murdered husband. (from the Bandundu region)"
Minzoto ya Zaire - Male Male
"Twins bring happiness to the village, if all prescriptions are followed. It is a great honour for parents to have twins. Let us celebrate them. (Folklore from Bandundu: Transition to modern jazz)"

Congo Fiesta

2007-12-01T12:18:00.000+03:00

It's been a couple of months since the last post. The sea isn't dry. I've just been busy with work and our local internet provider also increased its charges 150%. I have saved up a couple of posts. I'm in Europe now for 2 weeks with normal connections so I'll upload a few mixes.

Thanks for all you out there who keep checking in (an average of 60 people a day, from all over the globe!).

In Musoma, last week, in between work, I managed to find some vinyl but usually the records aren't in the greatest shape. No sleeves, just stacks of 45s in plastic bags, often caked with dirt. I did get two decent Cuban Marimba Band 45s (Tanzanian).

For now, here's a set of Latin-influenced Congolese tunes: chachacha, merengue, pachanga, a classic Feruzi composition performed by Franco (it might be Feruzi playing the accordeon on that piece but I'm not sure), and my favorite Dr. Nico tune of the moment: Mwamba wa Mama, where he's mixing in traditional mutuashi rhythms from the Kasai region.

Someone up in Ireland asked where she could find these records. Finding the actual records (in good condition) is very difficult nowadays. These were produced in the 1960s. Still, it should not be too difficult to find good compilations of Congolese music on CD. Vincent Kenis of Crammed discs has reissued old OK Jazz (Roots of Rhumba Rock and Roots of OK Jazz); Wolfgang Bender of Popular African Music released a compilation from the Ngoma label.

Up north now, it's 5 pm, dark, wet, and cold. Here are some tropical tunes to keep you warm. More to come in the next week or so...

Orchestre African Fiesta - Domingo o Sabado
T.P. OK-Jazz - Cha Cha Cha Erique
Orchestre Conga - Santa Christina
Alphonse et l'Orchestre Negro Success - Esta Cum Pachanga
T.P. OK-Jazz - Koyina
Orchestre African Fiesta - Runeme Mama
Orchestre Bantou - Endiable Merengue
Orchestre Bantou de la Capitale - Tu Silencio
Bholen et l'Orchestre Negro Success - Pacha Pachanga
Dr. Nico & African Fiesta - Mwamba wa Mamu

Continental Drift

2007-08-29T21:53:00.000+03:00

It's about time I put up a mix. It's called Continental Drift: that was (and still is) the name of a radio show that friends and I did in Chicago, throughout the 1990s , on WNUR FM. In between jazz in the morning (listen to Joe early on Tuesday: 5 AM in Chicago is noonish here) and rock in the afternoon, we played just about anything. As many others, I don't like the label world music. I guess only Sun Ra can make the claim his music is from out of this world.

So we played anything and everything. I usually featured a heavy dose of African music, picking new and old pieces from a collection that grew over the years, sprinkled with non-US hiphop, dub, Gainsbourg, Fairouz, Brel, Romanian pop, rembetika, tropicalia, gnawa, etc. Maybe I'll put up one of those mixes one of these days. I don't always listen to old African vinyl!

The mix flies from Togo to Cameroon, over Congo and Kenya, back to Guinea-Conakry, Benin and Nigeria. Bella Bellow needs a serious reissue of her work (Samy?). The aeroplane soundbite comes from PoussePousse, a Cameroonian movie: I'll have more of the soundtrack with lots of Andre Marie Tala. No need to tell much about Manu Dibango (Matt, did you see him at Couleur Cafe?). Demaye's track is the flip side of Soul Soukouss and just as funky. Trio Madjesi follow with their raw style in Matshatsha. Loi-Toki-Tok are Kenyan: they sing "they have nothing to say" but the groove speaks for itself. More Guinean sounds from Keletigui; the unmatched Poly-Rythmo; Nigerian Funkees; Abeti's personal take on Congolese rhythms; Babatunde taking a cue from Manu Dibango; more Akoffa Akoussah (she also connected with Manu Dibango, and sadly passed away in April of this year) ; Tabu Ley's Folksoum rhythm of Muwoso; Cloud7 from Nigeria again (Why Cloud 7 and not 9?); and finally The Wings (read more on them at WithComb&Razor). Anyone know how people like The Wings and Geraldo Pino ended up on Kenyan label, Suzumi, which released a handful of 45s?

I've tried several times to upload this as a mix but with the slow/developing IT connection it keeps failing after 30-40 minutes. Uploading smaller files works better... so here's a DIY mix with 16 tracks. This is the order I mixed it but feel free to make your own!

Bella Bellow - Dasi Ko (arrangement Manu Dibango)
Manu Dibango - Lily
Flyby Mt Cameroon
Auguila Gaston Demaye - Lelo Ngai Ma Bini
Trio Madjesi/Orchestre Sosoliso - Matshatsha
Santa Loi-Toki-Tok - Lakusema Mimi Sina
Keletigui et Ses Tambourinis - Bakary Dian

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Gbe Mi Na Gbe
Funkees - Ole'
Abeti - Miwela
BabatundeOlatunji - Takuta
Akofa Akoussah - La Lem
Orchestre Afrisa (L'International) - Muwoso-Muw oso
Sonny Okosuns - Adessua
Cloud 7 - Can You Do It
The Wings - Gone With The Sun

Nighttime with Havana Club

2007-08-23T00:11:00.000+03:00

It's after midnight and quiet. Working on a longer mix of funkier tracks but, in the meantime, at this early hour, here are some slower musical moods.

Ghana: Ramblers International with High-Life Medley
Congo-Brazzaville: Orchestre Sinza with Il est né
Togo: Akofa Akoussa with I Tcho Tchass

1960s Drum&Bass

2007-08-07T07:58:00.001+03:00

Moving across the Congo river, to the 1960s, when Brazzaville musicians had to leave Kinshasa. Prime Minister Tshombe ordered the expulsion of "aliens" in 1964. Many of the famous Kinois orchestras, like OK Jazz, lost their best musicians (at least for a while).

Ange Linaud, who later led Super Boboto, started Orchestre Tembo. You may have heard "Yebo Edi Pachanga" on Racubah (now out of stock at Dustygroove but you should still be able to find it elsewhere).

These tracks distill the groove into (IMHO) two delicious sebene...

Ange Linaud & Orchestre Tembo - Mpuanani
Ange Linaud & Orchestre Tembo - Muzina "Ave Maria"

Congo Jazz

2007-08-04T10:05:00.000+03:00

I don't know exactly where Super Cercul fits in the infinite versioning of Congolese bands, in this case Orchestre Cercul and Cercul Jazz. In any case, this is early Congolese music when musicians from both sides of the Congo river, from Kinshasa (then Leopoldville) and Brazzaville mixed and mingled to come up with these sounds. Cercul's name comes from a youth organization, Centre Culturel de Bacongo. This is where people like Franklin Boukaka started out, hanging out at Kabasele's African Jazz in the late 1950s, before striking out on their own.

Super Cercul - Adelina
Super Cercul - Na Ye Na Lisano
Super Cercul - Vero Na Tika Lise Mi Kuawa
Super Cercul - Succes Cercul

Congo Swing

2007-07-31T22:16:00.000+03:00

Back online and back in Mwanza. Sorry-o for the long wait. Been to Europe for work and vacation. When we returned, the landline phone worked but we mysteriously got a different telephone number (and the ADSL account, tied to our real number, of course did't work). After multiple visits, we finally got our old number back and figured out the ADSL connection again. Then blogger acted up: when I signed in, I got access to other people's blogs (mostly blogs with a link to Tanzania: someone climbing Kilimanjaro, a blog on TZ media, and the family photos of a Tanzanian Indian).

Today, all seems to be working well (almost: wanted to download Bobongo Stars from CombandRazor but failed after repeated attempts). I did manage to easily upload this 45 I found in Antwerp, with one my favorite Congolese bands, Rock-A-Mambo. A long while back, I did a guest post for Matt's Bennloxo.com featuring some other Rock-A-Mambo tracks.

I love these tracks, dating back to the 1950s. Bakoule with Kabasele and Rossignol on vocals swings. It also has me searching: this was covered in the late 1980s or 1990s by, I think, Pepe Kalle. I have that song, on cassette in one of several boxes filled with tapes, but haven't found it yet. I can hear the song in my head. If anyone hears Bakoule and knows the newer version, let me know.

I'll leave you with all tracks: Brigitte, another Rock-A-Mambo track, Kumaye and Senhorita, two Negro Band cha-cha-cha tunes.

Peace & Love from/for Cote d'Ivoire

2007-06-06T23:25:00.000+03:00

Funk & Rock from Ivory Coast? Why not?

Recent years have been rough on the country and its people. I haven't yet had the chance to visit but imagine that Abidjan (& the rest of the country) has lots to offer. Gathering from this collection of tracks, the 1970s led to interesting musical fusions and influences (from Hendrix to Miles Davis and Frank Zappa). I can't wait to hear Vol. 2 (thanks in advance, Cheeku!) .

Don't have the liner notes with me but I do remember that after the recording Charles Atangana sort of dissappeared. I'm sure the Ivory Coast must have many more undiscovered gems; come to think of it, few/no (?) Ivoiran oldies have turned up on the afrofunk reissues and compilations. Anyone in Abidjan reading this blog?

Two tracks: Onguindo (Charles Atangana & Emitais) & Dogbo Zo N'wene (Armand Pascal Lido & l'Ivoiro Star)

More Syliphone Sounds

2007-06-05T19:59:00.000+03:00

Syli Authentic was one of the younger generation's bands in Guinea-Conakry's music revolution. Like Camayenne Sofa, Syli was composed of teenagers, students, spreading Sekou Toure's message (as did all Guinean orchestras). Still, while exhorting the people to farm or praising the president, their grooves remain energetic, a mix of forest rhythms and the urban bustle of the 1970s. Here are two examples: Senero and Nbessoma.

You can find the Syliphone discography here, thanks to Graeme Counsel! And you can also look online for Dr. Graeme's 2006 PhD, "Mande Popular Music and Cultural Policies in West Africa," which he'll hopefully turn into a book soon.

Musique Sans Paroles

2007-06-04T21:53:00.000+03:00

Thanks for all the warm comments and having waited! And big thanks to Joe for help with moving around files and setting up a new server! I hope these tracks soothe your jazzy tastes, Joe!

On a trip to Senegal in 2000, I ended up visiting a transplanted Belgian who'd set up a record store in Dakar and meeting a couple of old collectors: from one, I ended up buying about 30-40 Syliphone albums. This is one of my favorite Syliphone albums of that batch: "Music Without Words." SLP 54 from 1976 showcases the skills of a variety of Guinea-Conakry's master musicians. There's Kokoba (Trio Papa Kouyate), Nananina (Sombory-Jazz), and Massane Cisse (Quintette Guineenne), and Bourou (no artist named).

If you love the Syliphone style and want to hear more, that shouldn't be too difficult. In the past years, some albums in the Syliphone Discotheque series have been reissued. If you haven't heard Bembeya Jazz (on vinyl or live, as they're touring again), do look for their reissues. Recently, Graeme Counsel did a very fine job of releasing Authenticite, a great compilation of Syliphone tracks from 1965-1980.

Wait For Me

2007-05-31T16:01:00.000+03:00

Pole for the long wait (pole = Swahili for sorry-0). I've been travelling (Jo'burg, Nairobi), broke the turntable needle (found one in a mall in Jo'burg), and then back in Mwanza, someone in the neighborhood stole the telephone cable connectors (using ADSL over regular phone here), so no internet until the phone company fixes their phone line.

But now I'm in Belgium with normal internet, and I brought plenty of digitized goodies. First off, here's Roger Damahouzan with Wait For Me. I'm sure you've been waiting for more, so here's back to West Africa (I guess Roger is from Togo as are most of the artists on this album).

Patience is a virtue too.

Shaking Soul

2007-04-18T19:52:00.000+03:00

During the famous 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture, it was Benin's T.P. Orchestre Poly-rythmo that stole the show. I'll feature them in the future. Until then, here's a couple of tracks from Nigeria and Congo (via Nairobi again).

Victor Uwaifo's Erame just puts a smile on my face: the heavy brass playing around with the organ, the vibraphone dipping into the groove, sharp spare drums, and the bass of Victor's voice. He's now "Ambassador, Plenipotentiary Extraordinary of Culture and Tourism, Cross-Rivers State, Nigeria." Really, read all about it on his site where you can also order some of his newer albums.

Auguila Gaston Demaye composed Soul Soukous and that's about all I can write. This is probably a Congolese original (Pathe 45), reprinted in Nairobi. No other information. So just enjoy and dance the Soul Soukous.

Safi! Kali!

2007-04-16T19:58:00.000+03:00

Here's a 45 from Nairobi by Lawi Somona. I've posted both sides. Part 2 features the extended sebene. I love the melodic interweaving of the multiple guitars, with the bass and drums driving the groove forward.

This is one of those bands described on www.muzikifan.com, a great site with good discographies.

Fresh/Pure & Sharp (that's what Safi and Kali mean),
Lawi Somona Pt.1 & Pt.2

Soul with Moambe Sauce

2007-04-06T19:57:00.000+03:00

Dipping into Congolese vinyl, with two 1970s funk excursions by Tabu Ley and Trio Madjesi. Trio Madjesi ('Mario' Matadidi Mabele, 'Djeskain' Loko Massengo, and Bonghat 'Max Sinatra' Tshekabu , a.k.a. Saak Saakul) & Orchestre Sosoliso are best known for Sex Madjesi, their version of James Brown's Sex Machine. Hailing from Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, and Zaire, they filled soccer stadium with their fancy moves and infectious grooves. Some of their work was reissued on CD but I didn't find quick links (might also be out of print...). Here's one of my favorite tracks: the sebene part of Carte Blanche (1973)!

What's even better, you can watch them. Someone saved a television performance of Sosoliso na Sosoliso/Sex Madjesi. Performing in soccer outfits (they had several tunes celebrating soccer, like Butteur and Penalty), it's wonderful to be able to see this rare footage. Imagine what their concerts must have been like!

Tabu Ley (Rochereau) is one of Africa's musical giants, alongside Fela Kuti and Franco Luambo Makiadi. I feel lucky that I've seen them all perform live. I haven't heard of Tabu Ley doing concerts lately but he's still around.

I always found Tabu Ley to be a bit more musically adventurous than Franco (though Franco will always be the Grand Maitre). Here's an example of a beautiful duet with Muana Shaba from 1973: Dialogue (anyone has more info on Muana Shaba?). It's not too difficult to still find Tabu Ley's work.

Hope you enjoy these grooves.

P.S. Gary Stewart's Rumba On The River provides the best history of the music of the Congos. That's where I got the title for this post: reviewing a legendary concert by Trio Madjesi, they called it 'Du soul a la sauce moambe.'

Parading Past Hits: Congo - Nairobi

2007-04-06T19:43:00.000+03:00

I don't know much about the bands on this elpee. I guess most are Congolese musicians who drifted to Nairobi and recorded there.

Orchestre Hi-Fives do their multicultural and multilinguistic thing, singing in English, Swahili, French, and Lingala (Learn how to say "I Love You" in all of these languages!). I especially love its 'sebene', the instrumental part of the piece, made for extended dancing and sometimes described as beau desordre (beautiful chaos). Going back to the 1940s, radio trottoir has it that Wendo Kolosoy and Henri Bowane started it all with the hit Marie Louise. In the 1970s, it continues on. Agy I Love You simply has such a sweet groove!

On a mellower note, Moji & The Tropicals lament the suffering in the world (that's what Duniani Mateso means, in Swahili). I haven't come across other releases of Moji (aside from a 45, released by French Barclays), but I'll look closer next time I'm in Nairobi and am able visit Melodica music store. It's another of my favorite, uncommon African pieces. You don't hear many transverse flutes in African music...

Funky Music From the S.J.O.B. Movement

2007-04-05T22:00:00.000+03:00

A movement of 4 : Samuel, Jonnie, Ottay, and Bolla (EMI Nigeria). I don't remember where I picked this up, probably at Papa Disco's shop in Cotonou. It's one of those albums you simply want to buy because of the cover and a song called 'Stone Funk' always gets my attention!

P.S. Miles Cleret and Hugo Mendez at Soundway Records are going to release another Nigerian compilation, 'Nigeria Special: Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-1976 (Summer 2007).

Zamrock Creating Havoc

2007-04-04T17:49:00.000+03:00

Another band from the copperbelt, The W.I.T.C.H. (short for 'We Intend To Cause Havoc') rocked Zambia in the early 1970s. One band member was still in school when they first recorded in the Malachite Studios in Chingola. Another one also played in The Peace. As their name suggests, they mostly rocked, with lots of guitar solos, wah wah fuzz boxes, and some distortion, but they also created plenty of rock-ballads.

Not much is known about the Witch: discovered by 'Groovy Holy Joe' (George Kunda), they recorded five albums and a couple of 45s in Chingola, Lusaka, and Nairobi. Shaderick Bwalya was responsible for most of The Witch's hits.

I found one album and a couple of reissue cds in Zambia. Lazy Bones has been reissued on vinyl and may still be available. Eastern and Southern Africa had their share of rock bands, probably more so than West Africa. The Anglophone influence of London's pop & rock?

The WITCH: "Havoc" & "Like a Chicken"

Mining music...

2007-03-31T17:44:00.001+03:00

Louis, master mechanic and friend since 1993, told me about this place in Zanzibar where he used to hang out as a youth. On a wall, someone had scribbled "Sea Never Dry" and that's what they called it. Louis used to build trucks; now he's working in a nickel mine.

It's a good name for this music blog because there is still so much African vinyl to discover. Though some of it is disappearing, like Papa Disco's vinyl stock. The late Papa Disco owned one of the few remaining record stores in Cotonou; recently, Voodoo Funk's Frank in Conakry wrote me that Papa Disco's widow had burned her late husband's record collection, which was stored with the chickens, to make room...

There still is plenty music left to be dug up. One of those vinyl archaeological finds is "Black Power" by The Peace, a band who recorded in Ndola, the capital of the Zambian copperbelt (when it was still flourishing in the 1970s). I found this album in an oily metal chest, owned by the former recording engineer of Kuzwhayo records, who turned to truck engineering after the music scene died.

There's much more music to be shared . Let's start it with The Peace's "I'm a Peaceful Man" and "Black Power."