Syran M'Benza Part 2: Solo Albums & Ventures

This post is Part 2 of a four part series, a celebration of the career of guitarist Syran M'Benza. Part 1 is below. If you have not seen it already, I recommend that you start there!

Part 2: Solo Albums & Ventures
Compilation 2: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/718314382/1c10dc34497d1d55df7d86d2beba5ef0
This compilation contains on song from each of the albums shown below.


Syran M'Benza's first solo album Kouame, on the Afro-Rythmes label, and the Africamania label album Elisa Dangwa are still today among my favorite albums.

On Kouame, Syran M'Benza is joined by guitarists Dizzy Mandjekou, Lokassa Kassia, and Bopol Mansiamina.On Elisa Dangwa, guitarists include Syran, Master Mwana Congo and Pablo Lubadika. With this gem, we are also treated to vocals by guest artists Theo Blaise Kounkou, Ballou Canta and Jose Missamou.


Syran M'Benza recorded a number of other albums under his own name. These were mostly on the Eddy'son label of Eddy Gustave and, in America, on the African Music Gallery label.


He also recorded, under his own name, another album on the African Music Gallery label that I have not included. Called Africa: The Golden Years, that album was a "non-stop" album, a continuous medley of Pan-African favorites reinterpreted into a soukous style. Although it has long been a consistant dance floor filler among my West African friends, I have not included it here. This album had a sister LP called Maloko: Soul On Fire, another non-stop album, this one featured virtually the same line up of artists interpreting American soul classics into the soukous style.
Syran would contribute to a large number of other albums as a much sought after and respected session guitarist, many of which were also on the Eddy'son and African Music Gallery labels.

On the Syllart and Hysa labels, he recorded Sisika and Symbiose.

You may hear a song from each of these on the compilation. Thanks to C.C. Smith of The Beat for contributing the song Molatisi. I had that album only on cassette and I cannot seem to find it!
On Sisika, Syran is joined by guitarist Rigo Star Bamundele. Rigo and Syran have worked together quite effectively over the years, Rigo Star contributing greatly to the music of the group Kelele.
The line up on Symbiose presents a veritable who's-who of the soukous genre with Syran, Dally Kimoko, Diblo Dibala, Lokassa and Bopol on guitars.


Along with 4 Etoiles associates Nyboma and Wuta Mayi, the singers on Symbiose include Passi-Joe and J.P. Ramazani. Another of Syran M'Benza's ventures was in the creation of a short-lived but dynamic group called Kass Kass. Passi-Joe and J.P. Ramazani were also founding members of that band. The album Kass Tout is a SMOKER!

Next post: Sessions

Syran M'Benza Part 1: The Bands

Over the last three decades, any release of any new album featuring guitarist Syran M’Benza has been an anticipated event for me.
Like many people outside of RDC, the former Zaire, I first heard Syran's guitar on the albums of Sam Mangwana’s African All Stars. Although Sam Mangwana has had a huge effect upon the career of Syran M’Benza, it has been Franco, Luambo Makiadi, who has provided him with the greatest influence and inspiration.
It is fitting and possibly overdue that coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Franco’s passing, Syran M’Benza has, for the first time after about as many years, released a new solo album. This is an album that is a stunning tribute to Franco. You can see the cover of the new CD, read about the album and even sample a song here:
http://www.worldmusic.net/wmn/news/item/syranmbenza
Syran M’Benza’s career has been outlined nicely in this concise article by C.C. Smith of The Beat magazine.
http://www.africanmusiciansprofiles.com/SyranMbenza.htm

This series of posts will attempt to illustrate in pictures the huge number of albums that Syran has contributed to over the past 30+ years and will, hopefully, illustrate with music just why this man’s personal style – much influenced by the personal style of Franco – has made him a much-sought-after solo artist, colleague, collaborator or session musician.
These posts are my tribute to Syran M’Benza.
You are invited to add any information that I have omitted or point out any errors that I have made.

Part 1: The Bands
Compilation 1: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/718699364/10ca513fc09213d2ff3c583b302f89d0


The first real “name” band that Syran M’Benza worked with was Vicky Longomba’s Lovy du Zaire. Rare recordings of that band with Syran on board have been, to date, impossible for me to obtain. Artists from this band would, with others, make up a new band, Orchestre Kara. In this band along with Syran was guitarist Pablo Lubadika and singer Djo Mpoyi.
The first two songs in the compilation available above, both showing the strong influence of Franco and OK Jazz, are from the albums shown here:

While Djo Mpyoi joined OK Jazz in 1978, both Pablo and Syran were lured to Lome and Abidjan by hopes of better financial circumstances than were available in Kinshasa at the time.

Syran joined Sam Mangwana and the African All Stars. The first in a series of really big hits for this band was Georgette Eckin’s, followed quickly by Souzana Koulibali (Coulibaly). In the next couple of years, the band would split into two parts, Mangwana’s faction, including Syran M’Benza, released a small number of very successful songs.
Songs from these albums are included:



In the early 1980s, a group of artists from both factions of the African All Stars and others, all of whom had made their way to Paris, united to form Les Quatre Etoiles. The Four Stars were Syran M'Benza, Wuta Mayi, Nyboma Mwan Dido and Bopol Mansiamina. This group, with the winning combination of experienced and innovative musicians created a signature style of Congolese music that was both authentic and accessible to the western ear. Many of my own countrymen were introduced to Congolese music by the recordings of this band.
Included in the compilation is one song from each of these albums by Les 4 Etoiles.



4 Etoiles recorded a couple of nice live albums, but in the ineterest of space I have not included those on this page.

Another band with which Syran M’Benza worked was Somo Somo, a group led by Fan Fan another guitarist who had worked with Vicky Longomba and who would go on to join OK Jazz. Somo Somo was dispersed and reassembled with a varying lineup a number of times. Syran M’Benza was in the original Somo Somo and later rejoined briefly in 1995 with the other members of 4 Etoiles for a comeback album called Hello Hello.

Although we hear Syran’s name called out prominently before his striking solo on the title track, I am very partial to the song Ndemdeli, so I have included that one here.

Before forming his new Ensemble Rumba Kongo, Syran joined up with a number of veteran singers, friends and colleagues from his long career, to form the group Kekele. In today’s era of flash, bling and incessant trendiness, Kekele have been the true champions of a Congolese rumba revival. It may or may not be coincidence, but the rise of Kekele on the international scene has come with an increased interest and marketability of many classic African musical genres worldwide. Kekele have recorded three outstanding CDs. The last three track in this compilation are one apiece from each CD.


Next Post: Solo albums and other ventures.

Ambiance Congo for July 19, 2009

I have a very nice program here for you this evening.
We start off with a track for the Sacodis album LA "MUS" AFRICA ZAIRE, a beautifully remastered 45 RPM single from Franco & T.P. OK Jazz and an OK Jazz cover song from Syran M'Benza's new CD. There are also a number of other covers in this program and some new music.

Here are the sleeves of a few of the albums presented for your pleasure on this edition of Ambiance Congo.



For the next two weeks, you maydownload a copy of this program here:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/715408630/00ccc91abf8d2ae4b6589192bc8fbc0c

This is the tracklist:
1)King Kester Emeneya
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music
2)La Mus Africa
MARICA
from the LP LA "MUS" AFRICA ZAIRE
Sacodis
3)Franco & T.P. OK Jazz
MITILENGANO 1&2
from the 45 RPM single
(remastered by Daniel Warner)
4)Syran Mbenza & Ensemble Rumba Kongo
BEYOU MOTEMA
from the CD IMMORTAL FRANCO: AFRICA'S UNRIVALLED GUITAR LEGEND
World Music Network
4)Pablo Lubadika Porthos
TOLINGANA
from the LP CONCENTRATION
Syllart Production
5)Fidele Zizi
MASSAMBA M.J.
from the LP AU REVOIR, CHERIE...
Vaudou Music
6)Faya Tess
CHERI D'AMOUR
from the CD LIBALA YA TEMPS PLEIN
Wedoo Music
7)Dona Mobeti & The Molokai Stars
VICKY SHAMA
from the CD CHERIE KADETTI
Sonima Music
8)King Kester Emeneya
SANS PREAVIS
from the CD & DVD LIVE A L'OLYMPIA
Dario Kindongo Production
9)Bluff Wabalonzo & Viva La Musica
ANGE LINA
from the CD FILLE UNIQUE
Production Bluff Wabalonzo
10)Aimelia Lias
HOMME IDEAL
from the CD RACE DES VAINQUEUERS
Solfege Universel Productions
11)Fally Ipupa
NYOKALESSE
from the CD ARSENAL DE BELLES MELODIAS
Obouo Music
12)Shora Mbemba et son Super Choc
DETCHEMENGA
from the CD FORCE TRANQUILLE
B.Mas Production
13)Wenge Musica Maison Mere
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
from the CD TERRAIN EZA MINE
Ets. N'Diaye
14)Gode Lofombo
DADOU
from the CD TRANSITION
Diego Music

Ambiance Congo for July 5, 2009

Today's program was another mix of newer and older songs.
Many thanks to Yemima "Ipupanaise" in The Netherlands for enabling Ambiance Congo to premiere Fally Ipupa's new CD on American radio this afternoon!
Thanks to everyone else from Wuod in Texas to Apurva in India to Allie in Canada for your requests. Your requested songs always make for a better program.

Here are the covers of a few albums we heard today.

Did you miss it?

For the next two weeks, you may download a copy here:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/709548844/a11f1058cb20e7b2291205f3461563ea

You may always find it in the Ambiance Congo Audio Archives.

Here is the tracklist:

1)King Kester Emeneya

sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)

from the CD PAS DE CONTACT

Black Music
2)Sax Matalanaza

NGAI MAKILA-MABE

from the LP LE MBULA MATARI *

Sans Frontiere
3)Sam Mangwana & Dino Vangu

ESCROBONDO *

from the CD SAM MANGWANA SINGS DINO VANGU

Stern's Africa
4)Tabu Ley, Faya Tess & Beyou Ciel

TIEN A MEN

from the CD SEIGNEUR TABU LEY

Genidia
5)Faya Tess

ORPHELINAT

from the CD LIBALA A TEMPS PLEIN

Wedoo Music
6)Koffi Olomide

ETAT CIVIL

from the CD V12

Sonodisc
7)Roi Soleil Wanga

LIYEBO

from the CD APRES TOI

Bana Music
8)CNN

LOVE AMOUR

from the CD CALIBRE 12

HK Production
9)Fally Ipupa

MON AMOUR *

from the CD ARSENAL DE BELLES MELODIAS

Obouo Music
10)Sam Tshintu

SOSIE

from the CD SACRIFICES

Bana Music
11)Roga Roga

FAIR PLAY

from the CD TERRE SACREE ACT 2

Lumieres D'Afriques
12)Djo Nolo

FIDELITE BETTY

from the CD AVERTISSEMENT

Production Grand Samurai
13)Choc Stars

SI J'ETAIS PATIENT

from the CD LE DERNIER METRO

Anytha-Ngapy
14)Evoloko Joker & Le Langa-Langa Stars

EMOTION SIKA

from the LP Done BIS

Ets. Veve International
15)Reddy Amisi

INJUSTICE *

rom the CD INJUSTICE

Flash Diffusion Business
16)Ricoco Et Son Groupe Wenge Aile Paris

PORTE BONHEUR

from the CD MFUMUETO VIBRATION

Solfege Universel Productions

*=by request

Ambiance Congo for Sunday June 21, 2009

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the passing of Franco, the great father of modern Congolese music, this program started out with three songs by OK Jazz, two of them at your request.

We moved on to a few new songs featuring the guitars and/or arrangements of Bopol Mansiamina. and from there featured some of the newest CD/DVD releases.

Here are a few covers from CDs featured.

Did you miss it? For the next two weeks, you may download the prgram here:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/703729524/7222e530613e8dc4154b43a7097c115e

After two weeks, you may find it, along with years of past programs, in the Ambiance Congo Audio Archives.

This was the tracklist:

1)King Kester Emeneya

sebene fromDORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)

from the CD PAS DE CONTACT

Black Music

2)Franco & T.P. OK Jazz

SELI-JA

from the CD FRANCO & LE T.P. O.K. JAZZ 20eme ANNIVERSAIRE *

Ets. Emongo Luambo

3)Franco & T.P. OK Jazz

CEDOU

from the LP IN MEMORIUM GRAND MAITRE FRANCO VOL.8

Polygram Records Ltd.

4)Franco & L'OK Jazz

FINGA MAMA MUNU *

from the CD FRANCO ET L'OK JAZZ 1966 1968

African/Sonodisc

5)Sam Mangwana & Kosmos Moutaouri

TOLINGANA

from the CD TERRE SACREE ACT 2

Lumieres D'Afrique

6)Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca

HABARI YAKO

from the CD RETROSPECTIVA

Mopiato Music

7)Orchestre Mode Succes

TU M'AS MARIE-JEANNE

from the LP INNOVATION VOL.3

Disques Innovation

8)Sam Tshintu

7eme BAGARRE

from the CD/DVD SACRIFICES

Bana Music

9)Viva La Musica

ZAKINA

from the LP VIVA LA MUSICA AVEC EN VEDETTE REDDY AMISI

Productions Mayala

10)Bendoson & Nouvelle Ecriture

SALAIRE LUVAKA

from the CD/DVD FACE B

M.L. P&D Production

11)Aimelia Lias

RACE DES VAINQUEUERS

from the CD/DVD RACE DES VAINQUEUERS

Solfege Universel Productions

12)Titina Alcapone

JUIF NOIR

from the CD/DVD AFFAIRE A SUIVRE

Sound Africa

13)Roi Soleil Wanga

FEUIL DE LAURIER

from the CD/DVD APRES TOI

Bana Music

14)Saint Petro

AMOUR ACCIDENTAL

from the CD/DVD MYSTERE

Sonima Music

15)Werra Son & Wenge Maison Mere

CONFESSION INTIME

from the CD/DVD TEMPS PRESENT MAYI YA SIKA VOL.1

Duo D'Enfer

16)J.D.T Molopwe

KUETA MUNDELA feat. Tshala Muana

from the CD/DVD MOLEKI NZELA

Production DRTV

17)Franco & Le TP OK Jazz

TCHA TCHA TCHA DE MI AMOR

from the CD FRANCOPHONIC

Stern's Africa

*=by request

Interview with Verckys on Radio Centraal

On June 1, 2009 Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta was a guest of AfroBuro, a weekly radio show dedicated to African music on Radio Centraal 106.7 FM in Antwerp/Belgium (monday 19.00H-20.30H). AfroBuro has been broadcast for almost 25 years.The website for Radio Centraal may be found at (http://www.radiocentraal.be/, and you may listen live at http://streaming.radiocentraal.org/).

AfroBuro host Frank Wouters has made this interview available to you here.
For the next 60 days, you may download this file and listen. The interview is in French.
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/720267942/5afac89e49237d6ec44ada33781100d3
By request, this interview has been reposted July 30, 2009.

THE LINK TO THIS PROGRAM HAS EXPIRED AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Ambiance Congo for Sunday June 7, 2009

Studio recordings are wonderful, of course, but nothing is better than a great Congolese music concert!

Ambiance Congo, like a concert, is presented and recorded live so the tracks were chosen on the spur of the moment to work together one after the other. You'll hear CDs, DVDs, a digital-only release and even a song from a tape reel in the Voice of America archives. I hope that you will enjoy the show!

Here are a few covers from CDs and DVDs featured on this edition of Ambiance Congo.

The program is available for download here for two weeks:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/698225500/d105b8ca9af0d99558bb6efa35a2d4fe

After 14 days, you may find it in the Ambiance Congo Audio Archives.

Here is the track list:

1)King Kester Emeneya

sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)

from the CD PAS DE CONTACT

Black Music
2)Franco & T.P. OK Jazz

LA VIE INTIME

from the CD LIVE CHEZ "UN-DEUX-TROIS" A KINSHASA

Grace Music
3)Lutumba Simaro

DATHY PETROLE

from the CD/DVD VIVEMENT SIMARO: MERCI L'ARTISTE

Production Groupe Rami Amisi
4)Bana O.K.

DADY PETROLE

from the CD BANA O.K. SHOW A PARIS VOL.2

Air B.Mas Production
5)Le Prince Youlou Mabiala

LILI

from the LP LIVE IN MIGUEL "CASSE COUP"

Production DB Tchi-Tchi
6)Les Bantous de la Capitale

MAMA TITINA

from the Voice of America archives
7)Samba Mapangala & Virunga

MALAKO

from the digital release VIRUNGA LIVE ON TOUR

Virunga Music
8)4 Etoiles

DOLY

from the CD LES QUATRE ETOILES DU ZAIRE LIVE IN LONDON

B.Mas Production
9)Tabu Ley & L'Orchestre Afrisa International

YOMBE

from the CD TABU LEY & MBILIA BEL

Ngoyarto
10)King Kester Emeneya

ATA MPIAKA

from the CD/DVD LIVE A L'OLYMPIA

Production Dario Kindongo
11)Wenge El Paris

TSHATSHO MBALA (excerpt)

from the CD ROI SOLEIL MARIE-PAUL LIVE (STADE A KINSHASA)

Abeto Center
12)Zaiko Langa Langa

TUTU feat. Bozi Boziana

from the CD/DVD LIVE 38e ANNIVERSAIRE

Prozal
13)Koffi Olomide

MBABULA

from the CD/DVD 100% TCHA TCHO VOL.2

Production M.L.P&D
14)Lita Bembo & Stukas

excerpt from the DVD LES MERVEILLES DU PASSE DES ANNES 70

KAZ
15)Nouvelle Ecriture

INSTRUMENTAL DES FIOTI-FIOTI

from the CD Le Zenith De Papa Wemba Vol.2

Glenn

Interview with Kinanga Boeing 737 on Radio Centraal

On Monday May 4, 2009 Empire Bakuba guitarist Kinanga Boeing 737 was a guest of AfroBuro, a weekly radio show dedicated to African music on Radio Centraal 106.7 FM in Antwerp/Belgium (monday 19.00H-20.30H). AfroBuro has been broadcast for almost 25 years.The website for Radio Centraal may be found at (http://www.radiocentraal.be/, and you may listen live at http://streaming.radiocentraal.org/).
The interview was held in French, but DJ Frank Wouters (at left above) has added some bits of commentary in English.
I am honored that Frank has asked me to place the interview here and I am happy to do it!
For the next 60 days, you may download the interview and listen here:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/697459840/17dae69fc8275a673db8f3c3aefb5545

Ambiance Congo: May 24, 2009

This edition is almost all music from the golden 1970s and 1980s. There are a couple of newer songs added that fit within the mode, music from artists who made their marks back then and have been making great music up to the present: Youlou Mabiala, Dona Mobeti and the artists of OK International.

I hope that you will enjoy listening to this program as much as I enjoyed presenting it!

Here are the cover sleeves of a few albums played this time around.

This was the track list:

1)King Kester Emeneya

sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)

from the CD PAS DE CONTACT

Black Music

2)Vox Africa

ANGELINA *

from the CD COMPILATION 1969/1971/1972

Sonodisc

3)Tshala Muana

TATU

from the LP KAMI

Tshala Muana Production

4)Johnny Bokelo Isenge

TSHALA

from the LP AFRICA DANCE

Bemba Records

5)Le Prince Youlou Mabiala et le Orchestre T.P. OK Jazz

MOLENGO

from the CD LE VERDICT *

Ets Veve International

6)OK InternationalMABOSELLE

from the CD KI ZOBA ZOBA

Mengue Productions

7)Orchestre Super Boboto de Brazzaville

MITOGA

from the LP ORCHESTRE S.B.B.

Musi-Club

8)Le Commandant Dona Mobeti & The Molokai Stars

MAYOUNA

from the CD CHEIRE KADETTI

Sonima Music

9)Papa Wemba & Mavuela Somo

AMOUR MACE

from the LP

LA RETROUVAILLE HISTORIQUE DE PAPA WEMBA ET MAVUELA

Afro Rythmes

10)Ya Benz Bozi Boziana & Choc Stars

SANDU-KOTTI

from the LP ROBOTI-ROBOTA

Equator Management

11)Zaiko Langa Langa

ANDY

from the LP ZEKETE-ZEKETE

P-Vine Presentation

12)Lipua-Lipua

MANGAKA

from the LP LES DERNIERS SUCCES DE LIPUA-LIPUA

Ets. Veve International

13)Dino Vangu & Makina Loka Dimaye

LIWA YA PASI

from the CD KIN NOSTALGIE

Air B.-Mas Production

14)Lita Bembo & L'Orchestre Stukas Boys

DJOBOKE

from the CD VOLUME 1: EKONDA SACCADE

Ngoyarto

*=by request

For 14 days, you may download and listen here:

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/692150910/64ce1e2d26a92dc23a0d9f6ae09d3eaf

After 14 days, you may find this program and all previous editions in the Ambiance Congo Audio Archives.

Please note:

Ambiance Congo is presented live every other Sunday at www.wrir.org .

The copies of the program presented here are for your convenience and enjoyment.

WRIR is all volunteer community radio and, on occasion, we have a few technical difficulties.

I missed recording the first few minutes of this edition, so I have included the full version of the first song, by Vox Africa, in the file.

Ambiance Congo for Sunday May 10, 2009

This edition, we heard yet another mix of classic albums and new CDs. Our second song this afternoon was penned by Shiko Mawatu, who also played guitar on the track. Shiko has suffered a stroke and is recovering. This song, with the Afro International of Mimi Ley, is dedicated to Shiko - please join me in my wishes for his rapid and full recovery- and is appropriate to Mother's Day as well.


We also heard a couple of secular songs by Carlyto and Makolin, artists whose gospel songs were featured on this blog back on Easter Sunday.
Some nice requests rounded out the program.

Here a few album covers:



Did you miss it? For the next two weeks, you may download a copy of the program here:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/687101556/f7a1d1b0d5db879db61b0a53ec806aff
This is a better link with increased volume

And here is the track list:
1)King Kester Emeneya
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

2)Master Mwana Congo
BRIGITTE
from the LP BRIGITTE
Disques Sonics

3)Afro International *
MERE PUISSANCE
from the LP EFFACER LE TABLEAU
Rythmes Et Musique

4)Carlito Lassa
BOLINGO EZUI NKORMA
from the LP CARLITO CHANTE PANGALA
Rythmes Et Musique

5)Choc Stars
ADIEU CHARLY
from the CD LE DERNIER METRO
Anytha-Ngapy

6)Jolino Kiezowa
PISTHO BA BEAUTE
from the CD A BAS LA VIOLENCE
Production Jolino & Dom Torsch

7)Le Geant Makolin
MATUYA-NTALA
from the LP VICKY LA SIRENE
Gama Production

8)Evoloko Jocker
NKANA
from the CD LA ROUTE A SUIVRE
Esselta

9)Alain Makaba
FISOL *
from the CD PILE OU FACE
Sonodisc

10)Aimelia Lias
DEGENERATION
from the CD RACE DE VAINQUEURS
Solfege Universel Productions

11)Saint Petro
S'AIMER ET SE MARIER
from the CD MYSTERE
Sonima Music

12)Wazekwa Monstre D'Amour & Cultur' A Pays-Vie
DHEDHE MUPASA MOT DE PASSE
from the CD LA CHEVRE DE MR. SEGUIN
Production Fondation Wazekwa

13)Koffi Olomide & Josky Kimabukuta *
LA SONIA'S
from the CD KOFFI OLOMIDE CHANTE
Ngoyarto

14)Santa Nyanga & Viva La Musica
CEREMONIE NUPTIALE
from the CD OURAGAN
Sono

15)Alain Kounkou *
PAPARAZI
from the CD SUCCES PLANETAIRE
Air B-Mas

16)M'Pongo Love
AH MONY
from the LP LA VOIX LA PLUS LIMPIDE DU ZAIRE
Dragon Phenix

*=by request