Sunday, March 29, 2009

Ambiance Congo for Sunday March 29, 2009

This edition of AMBIANCE CONGO, I'll be starting a series that jumps back and forth across the river from Kinshasa to Brazzaville and back. I do this anyway on every program regardless of any specific theme, but it may be interesting to really look at the comparisons and collaborations. You'll get to hear music from the 1960s to today. Some songs in this series will show the similarities in the progression of styles, some will feature artists from one nation who worked in the other nation, some will feature collaborations in Europe between artists from the two Congos.

This time around, please enjoy a selection of music from the 60s through the early 80s, from old style rumba to the Zaiko generation.


By the way, Les Bantous de la Capitale will play the prestigious Olympia in Paris on April 9!Check out the poster here:http://vibesdafrique.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=1&action=display&thread=1971


Here are a few album covers from this afternoon's program:






For the next two weeks, you may listen to the program by downloading from this link:

https://www.yousendit.com/download/UmNKOU1SSU9iV3hFQlE9PQ

After that, please fing this program and all previous editions 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 & Le T.P. OK Jazz
BAZONZELE MAMA ANA
from the CD FRANCOPHONIC: ON ENTRE O.K.
Stern's Africa

3)Bantous Jazz
BASILIKOYOKANA
from the LP LES MERVEILLES DU PASSE (1962-1964) VOL. 3
African

4)Negro Band
NA BOYI BAKUTUKULU
from the LP A PARIS
EMI/Pathe

5)Orchestre African Fiesta
NAKEYI ABIDJAN
from the CD Merveilles Du Passe: Eternel Docteur Nico (1966/1967/1968)
African/Sonodisc

6)Orchestre Sinza
QUI VIVRA VERRA
from the LP ORCHESTRE SINZA KOTOKO
Sonafric

6)Mando Negro Kwala-Kwa
SUZA NELA
from the CD SOUVENIR D'UNE EPOPEE VOL.5
Glenn Music

7)Tabu Ley & L'Afrisa International
LITEYA
from the CD KARIBOU YA BINTOU
African/Sonodisc

8)Les Bantous de la Capitale
ROSALIE DIOP
from the CD BAKOLO MBOKA
Cyriaque Bassoka

9)Le Poete Simaro Massiya
YOMPE *
from the CD PROCES
Solfege Universel Production

10)Orchestre Super Boboto de Brazzaville
SEKOLA
from the CD COMPILATION MUSIQUE CONGOLO ZAIROISE 1970 1976
Sonodisc

11)Zaiko Langa-Langa
ELUZAM Pts. 1&2
from the CD LES EVEILLEURS DE L'ORCHESTRE ZAIKO
Ngoyarto

12)Orchestre KA.MA.SOL.
NA MONI O CHANGER
from the LP ORCHESTRE KA.MA.SOL. DE BRAZZAVILLE
Sonafric

13)Manuaku Waku et le Grand Zaiko
EKE YA PAMBA *
from the LP EKE YA PAMBA
Ets. Veve International

14)Andre Pamomiel
ESPOIR ADELE
from the LP VIVIANE
Africa Mania Records

15)Le Prince Youlou Mabiala & Kamikaze Loningisa
DJELIBA
from the LP MON AVOCAT A VOYAGE
Disco Mabele


*=by request

Sunday, March 22, 2009

INNOVATION


I came across this post on Soukousman's blog http://soukousman.blogspot.com/2008/08/orchestre-mode-success-innovation-vol3.html .
Soukousman said he had only the one volume of the eight volume INNOVATION series of Orchestre Mode Succes and Orchestre Innovation and featuring such luminaries as Bopol and Nyboma. There are indeed eight volumes that I know of, perhaps there are nine.

Volumes 2 and 5 were released together as INNOVATION PRESENTE JULIOS LUKAU VOL. 2/5, a six-song album, but there was also, as you see here, a Vol.2 that carried different versions of four of those songs. In the link at the bottom of this page, I have included the fantastic extended version of CHERIE MAKWANZA from VOL.2. If there was an actual VOL.5, I would love to hear it!


Here are the front and back covers of VOLs. 3 and 4, the last two albums in the series of Orchestre Mode Succes.




VOLs. 6 through 8 featured Nyboma & Bovi on vocals, backed by Orchestre Innovation, a group of musicians who are, sadly, never individually listed.

Notice that, although the actual bands have changed, the producer has chosen the same sultry model for the covers of VOLs. 3 and 6.



To hear a song form each of these albums, please download the file here:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/UmNLakltSytsamV4dnc9PQ
Enjoy these songs from this great series!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ambiance Congo for Sunday March 15, 2009

Welcome to Ambiance Congo. Thanks for your visit.
This edition I played a number of requests. Yours are welcome and encouraged.
We started out with two modern tracks influenced by folklore. The first, from Buoro Mpela latest CD, is brand new. The second, by Empire Bakuba singer Misha M'fum was from a 1980s LP recorded right here in the USA. I bought that album from the African Music Gallery in Washington DC as producer Ibrahim K. Ba and Misha M'Fum himself were unpacking the first boxes. Interestingly enough, Misha was coaxed out of retirement to sing with King Kester at the King's concert in North Carolina last year.
We went on to listen to a series of songs that jumped back and forth over time and yet presented a nice continuous flow in sound and theme. I hope that you will enjoy it!
Here are a few album covers for this afternoon's program.
For the next two weeks, you may download a copy of this program from this link:
After that, please find it and all other previous programs 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)"Jah Man Geko" Bouro Mpela
FOLKLORE DE L'EQUATEUR *
from the CD VICE DE PROCEDURE
Duo D'Enfer Production
3)Misha M'Fum
EDEN
from the LP L'EMPIRE AMBIENCE
African Music Gallery
4)Empire Bakuba
PLAINTE D'AMOUR
from the LP EMPIRE BAKUBA
Ets. VEVE International
5)Manuaku Waku et le Grand Zaiko Wawa
MBONGO
from the LP EKE YA PAMBA
Ets. VEVE International
6)Clan Langa Langa
LOMANY
from the CD SIX MEGA STARS DE CLAN LANGA LANGA
Gilette D'Or International
7)Papa Wemba & Viva Tendances
TEMBE
from the CD NKUNZI NLELE
Sonima Music
8)Reddy Amisi
PLUS FORT QUE MOI *
from the CD ETOILE
Ets. N'Diaye
9)Bozi Boziana
SENTINELLE
from the CD L'HEURE DE VERITE
Naelis Music
10)Elba Top A
MONGANGA
from the CD IL FALLAIT N'ZLALA!
Tamaris
11)Seigneur Tabu Ley
KELE BIBI *
from the LP ROCHEREAU VOL. 8
Disco Stock / Makossa
12)Aimelia Lias
DIDI KINUANI *
from the CD RACE DES VAINQUEURS
Solfege Universel Productions
13)J.D.T. Molopwe
FIC
from the CD MOLEKI NZELA
Production DRTV
14)Fataki Junior
EGOGO
from the CD PHILOSOPHIE VOL.1
Sonima Music
15)Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga *
MALAKO
live at the WOMAD FESTIVAL
Charleton Park, Malmesbury, Whiltshire EnglandJuly 27, 2007
*=by request

Monday, March 2, 2009

Ambiance Congo for Sunday March 1, 2009

Welcome to another edition of Ambiance Congo. I hope that you will enjoy the program!
This time around I played a number of recordings featuring the compositions and guitar of the great song stylist Papa Lutumba Simaro Massiya. Of course there was more!
Here are a few of the albums and CDs played this evening.



To hear the program, please download this file:
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)Malage De Lugendo
SMS
from the CD SMS
Ebheliss Records
3)Kino Mabella
FEMME AMOUREUSE
from the CD INVITATION
Atoll
4)Madilu System
NES NES
from the CD DERNIERE VOLANTE
Syllart Productions
5)Le Poete Lutumba Simaro
BIC ROUGE
from the CD SALLE D'ATTENTE
Production Gabin Tembo
6)L'Orchestre Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz
MORT' VIVANT...SOMIDA *
from the CD HERITAGE DU GRAND MAITRE FRANCO
Sans Frontieres
7)Simaro & L'Orchestre OK Jazz
PASI YA LUSINGU
from the LP HIT PARADE NO.1
Tcheza
8)M'Pongo Love & Le Groupe Tsheke Tsheke Love
MONAMA ELIMA
from the CD MONAMA ELIMA
Ngoyarto
9)Simaro Lutumba
SHAKO feat. Fayilla
from the CD SHAKO
Ets. N'Diaye
10)Tabu Ley "Seigneur Rochereau"
TANT QUE JE L'AIME
from the LP RYTHME SOUM-GUEYE
Afric'Music
11)Edi Mabungu
KOSALA ZOBANTE
from the LP MOBALI A GAZE / BANA AFRICA
KP Production
12)Maika Munan
EL MEGARUMBA
from the CD CONGO MASTERS
Sono/Next Music
12)Mose Fan Fan
MALI YA MUNGU
from the CD BAYAKELEYE
LAA Music
13)Youlou Mabiala & Kamikaze Loningisa
NSONA
from the CD THE BEST OF YOULOU MABIALA & KAMIKAZE LONINGISA VOLUME 2
Sonodisc
14)AlpatchinoNE PARS DONC PAS
from the CD OFFENSIVE GENERALISEE
Images et Musiques
*=by request

Monday, February 16, 2009

Ambiance Congo for Sunday February 15, 2009

This edition, I played a lot of LPs from Zaiko family artists and groups, not Zaiko Langa Langa, but artists who worked with Zaiko Langa Langa or in groups that were related. There was of course a whole lot more...a little bit of Wenge, a killer track from Lutmba Simaro and others.
We experienced a few technical problems at the station and the program was not recorded properly so this post will be a special one and it will be a little different. I hope that you'll enjoy it.



The album covers shown here are from the LPs played on this afternoon's program. The tracklist follows and at the bottom of this page is a link to a zip file that contains the songs played from these albums. Songs on CDs played are not included and are listed in smaller type.




1)King Kester Emeneya
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program's theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

2)Benz-Petrole
L'HEURE DE VERITE
from the CD L'HEURE DE VERITE
Sun Records

3)Bozi Boziana & L'Anti-Choc
REGRESADO
from the CD MBANZI YA GAMUNDELE
Ets. Kaluila

4)Evoloko Joker
MATA MATA
from the LP FRANCO PRESENTE EVOLOKO JOKER
V.I.S.A. 1980


5)Monza 1er & Les Stars Magnats
FRIDA
from the LP MELINA
Rythmes Et Musique


6)Djo Nolo
AFO TSHAMBA
from the LP CHOC MUSIC
Rythmes Et Musique


7)Grand Zaiko avec Djo-El
MOBATI
from the LP CONSEIL PANU
Mayala Production


8)Le Commandant Dona Mobeti & Molokai Stars
KANTCHOUMEY
from the CD CHERIE KADETTI
Groupe Cavacha/Sonima Music


9)Jus D'Ete Molopwe
ESCALVE D'AMOUR *
from the CD ELUKA MAKAMBO
BJB Productions


10)La Zaikomania
WADENI
from the LP L'AMOUR DU TRAVAIL BIEN FAIT
Bono Music


11)Winan Mignon
AU REVOIR (VERSION LONGUE)
from the CD FEELING
Ngoyarto


12)Le Poete Lutumba Simaro et Le Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz
MANGASSA
from the LP COEUR ARTIFICIEL
African Sun Music


13)Vox Africa
MAKANISI
from the CD BOBENGA WEWANDO & CARLYTO LASSA
B-Mas Production


14)Tiers Monde *
ANITHA
from the CD BOWAYO & OMESONGO
Ngoyarto



*=by request

Here is the link to the songs from the featured LPs.
https://www.yousendit.com/download/U0d6c0w4TkxOMUNGa1E9PQ

Monday, February 2, 2009

Ambiance Congo for Sunday February 1, 2009

This edition, we'll listen to music from the 60s to today. Let's start off with two tracks from 1968. I also include this afternoon two requests that, coincidentally, refer to the influence that Congolese musicians have had on other people's music.

Here are a few of the LPs and CDs you can hear from on this program.




The program is available for download here:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUTmZjckl0d0YzZUE9PQ

This 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 & Le TP OK Jazz
ANNIE NGAI NALINGA
from the CD FRANCOPHONIC
Stern's Africa
3)Les Bantous De La Capitale
BOLINGO NAKOZONGA
from the LP ORCHESTRE LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE
Fiesta
4)Ry-Co Jazz *
HISTOIRE D'AMOUR
from the CD BON VOYAGE!!
RetroAfric/Stern's Music
5)Jena Manda Ko
MAMA COYO PAS LA
from the LP LIKITA
Ets. K-Dance
6)Lea Lignanazi
NELUMTA *
from the LP EDDY GUSTAVE PRESENTE LEA LIGNANZI
Saxone Music
7)Diana & Les Bobongo Stars
SIM SENHORA
from the LP MARGUERIDA
Edition Man-Im
8)Johnny Bokelo
NGALULAWA WA MAMA
from the LP AU REVOIR 81
Shakara Music
9)Minzoto Wela Wela
MARIANA
from the LP GRAND MINZOTO WELA WELA
Rythmes Et Musique
10)Grand Zaiko "Bayaka"
REGINA
from the LP MENACE DE DIVORCE
Ets. Kaluila
11)Ricoco Bulambemba & Wenge Musica Aile Paris
VARIA TONDO
from the CD 4 SAISONS BOULE DE NEIGE
BBJ
12)Extra Musica Z1
ENVOYE SPECIAL
from the CD SUPER HELICO
Sipe Simon Music
13)Alpha Tshino
SIMBUMBU
from the CD CONTRE MUR
Goda Production
14)JDT Molopwe
PAPA GENTIL
from the CD MOLEKI NZELA
DRTV production
15)Titina Alcapone
CHEVAL BLANC
from the CD AFFAIRE A SUIVRE
Sound Africa
16)Werra Son & Wenge Maison Mere
TOTAL CONTINENTAL
from the CD TEMPS PRESENT MAYI YA SIKA VOL. 2
Duo D'Enfer
17)Didi Kalombo & Le Groupe Pleiade
AMOUR DELESTAGE
from the CD RIEN A VOIR
Badive Music


*=by request

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Cherie Kadetti

Dona Mobeti's new CD, CHERIE KADETTI, is one that I am enjoying a lot right now.
The new songs and remakes on the album, recorded with Papa Wemba and Nyboma on vocals, features a nice guitar sebenes by Diblo Dibala and Beniko Popolipo.
The title track is one of the remakes that really stands out for me. Although it is a remake, it has its own modern flavor and character. That does not mean it is full of mabanga! The animations are very well done and add to the danceability of the sebene.
This song was recorded by Dona Mobeti on a number of other occasions.
I include two others here for your comparison and enjoyment.
Song 01 in the set, which you may download from the link posted below, is the original recorded with his Orchestre Cavacha. I've pieced it together here from the two sides of the 45RPM single.
This song is from the 1970s and has all the charm and complexity you would expect of real Congolese classic.
Song 02 is from the late 1980s or early 1990s - I don't remember exactly- and again reflects the music of its era. There is a hint of disco-era influence as well as strong reflexions of the European Congo/soukous music scene on this one.
A real high point of this album is the guitar work provided by Roxy Tshipaka and Master Mwana Congo. Vocals are by Dona Mobeti, Yenga Yenga Junior and Abia Odette.
Download here:
Which of the three is your favorite?

Monday, January 19, 2009

Ambiance Congo for January 18, 2009

Welcome to Ambiance Congo! Be sure that your volume is adjusted to the "high" position as we bring you two hours of classic and new Congolese music. Mixed into this edition's track list you'll hear a number of wonderful tracks that you'd be hard-pressed to find on CD. "Toujours le Meilleur"!
Here are a few covers from albums and CDs featured on this program.
For the next two weeks, you may download a copy of the program here:
After two weeks, as always, you may find the program 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)Andre Kinzonzi "Du Soleil Krunganga"
EBONGA EBONGA TE, TOUJOURS LE MEILLEUR
from the LP QUE'EST CE QUE L'AMOUR?
Oliveira Nkounkou Production
3)Oliveira Nkounkou
MOSSOLO
from the LP AFRO RYTHMES PRESENTE OLIVEIRA NKOUNKOU
Production Oliveira Nkounkou et Afro-Rythmes
4)Les Bantous "Monument"
LOKOSSO JEANNOT
from the CD PASSY MERMANS *
Cyriaque Bassoka
5)Le Commandant Dona Mobeti
CHERIE KADETTI
from the CD CHERIE KADETTI
Production Groupe Cavacha / Sonima Music
6)Kino-Mabella
JE T'ACCUSE
from the CD INVITATION
Atoll Music
7)Le Poete Lutumba Simaro
SYSTEM
from the CD SALLE D'ATTENTE
Production Gabin Tembo
8)Malage De Lugendo
CAUCHEMAR
from the CD SMS
Ebherliss Records
9)Dino Vangu
FOLIE D'AMOUR
from the LP VIVE O.U.A BOOM No.2
Albert Youssheff
10)Tabu Ley & L'Afrisa International
MAIKA
from the LP ROCHEREAU VOL. 5: JALOUSIE MAL PLACEE
Disco Stock
11)Franco & T.P. O.K. Jazz
ITSHIOFO
from the 45 RPM single
remastered by Daniel Werner
12)Prince Youlou Mabiala & Kamikaze Loningisa
EMOA - N'KANA
from the LP SENTIMENTAL
Production Musicale Kamikaze / Voix D'Afrique
13)Canon Du Zaire
KADY
from the LP DJO MPOY / JOSKY
Africamania
*=by request

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ambiance Congo for January 4, 2009

There has been a lot of talk about the style and quality of Congolese music released during 2008. A lot of that talk has been pretty negative, but I submit here that there were some very good CDs released despite all the flap. In the recent past, Congolese artists seemed to race to release great new CDs at year's end. The sense of competition for placing on Top 10 lists seemed really great. That phenomenon did not manifest itself this past year at all! Even with the general opinion that there were a lot of less-than-stellar releases, on many CDs there were a number of really good songs. Hopefully you will hear something in this program that will make you smile!
A lot of the disappointment with new music has turned many heads back toward older music. Today's show started with some requests for older music, a few requests from last year that I was not able to fill.

Enjoy!
Here is a link to download the program:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBSckhYT2IzMWxMWEE9PQ

Here is the track list:

1)Felix Wazekwa
excerpt from QUE DEMANDE LE PEUPLE?
from the CD QUE DEMANDE LE PEUPLE?
Production Fondation Wazekwa
2)Jean Romain Biakou & Petit Poisson
KIFUEFUE
from the LP LA VUE C'EST LA VIE *
Rosi-Music
3)Fidele Zizi & Mando Negro Kwala Kwa *
DIMALEMBA
from the LP MISIKI YA KWALA KWA
Production 3A
4)Sax Matalanza
NZALA KANDA
from the LP LE MBULA MATARI *
Sans Frontieres
5)Verckys & Le Veve
COUP MARTEAU
from the CD IMMORTEL
Ets. Veve International
6)Le Commandant Josky Kiambukuta & L'Orchestre Bana OK
BARACUDA *
from the CD DERNIER AVERTISSEMENT
Sans Frontieres
7)Le Poete Lutumba Simaro
BENGONGO *
from the CD SALLE D'ATTENTE
Gabin Tembo
8)Manda Chante & Wenge Reference
BELINS MOBUAKA
from the CD DELIVRANCE TOTALE
P&G
9)Werra Son & Wenge Maison Mere
ASSOCIE VALABLE
from the CD TEMPS PRESENT MAYI YA SIKA
Duo D'Enfer
10)Serge Mabiala
PINZOLI
from the CD AFFECTION
Mobola Senzedi
11)Les Chics Men
KOLELA LELA
from the CD GROSSES AFFAIRES
Fiit Productions
12)KaRmapa
ELENGI
from the CD RIPOSTE
Ets. N'Diaye
13)Koffi Olomide
DIABOLOS
from the CD KOFFI
Diego Music
14)Titina Alcapone
ZIMA MOTO
from the CD AFFAIRE A SUIVRE
Sound Africa
15)Des-Desouza
AMEN
from the CD ZERO UN
Production 2 Mizik

*=by request

Monday, December 22, 2008

Ambiance Congo for December 21, 2008

For the last program of the year, Ambiance Congo presents the 4th and final special featuring the music of Les Bantous de la Capitale.

Here are a few covers from the albums we heard today:

A copy of the program is available for 2 weeks for download here:
After that, please 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)Les Bantous de la Capitale
LISIE
from the CD LES GRANDS SUCCES DES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE VOL. 2
Anytha-Ngapy
3)Les Bantous de la Capitale
KUMBELE - KUMBELE
from the CD MAKANDO MIBALE
African / Sonodisc
4)Ry-Co Jazz
KOUMBELE
from the CD BON VOYAGE!!
Stern's Africa
5)Les Bantous de la Capitale
ANNIE DITSOU
from the LP LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE
Sonafric
6)Les Bantous de la Capitale
EL LOCO
from the LP LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE
Sonafric
7)Jose Missamou
SON SABROSITO
from the LP SPECIAL SALSA PARA TODOS
Safari Sound
8)Papa Noel
SALSA AFRICAINE
from the CD CAFE NOIR
Tumi Music
9)Les Bantous de la Capitale
SACA TU CUERPO **
from the 45RPM SUPER BANTOUS ET MUJOS ( No. 5)
Pathe/ Stenco
10)Les Bantous de la Capitale
MAGOBOU
from the 45 RPM single
Pathe / EMI
11)Les Bantous de la Capitale
DESTINO **
from the 45RPM SUPER BANTOUS ( No. 1)
Pathe/ Stenco
12)Les Bantous de la Capitale
MERCI MAMA
from the CD BAKOLO MBOKA
Cyriaque Bassoka
13)Pamelo Mounk'a avec Les Bantous
TOUT CA C'EST LA VIE
from the LP L'AMOUR ET LA DANSE
Black Music
14)Passy Ngongo Mermans
SANGA MALA
from the LP MONIA
Salsa Musique
15)Les Bantous "Monument"
TON AMI N'EST PAS TON AMI
from the CD PASSY MERMANS
Cyriaque Bassoka / A.P.L. Diffusion
16)Les Bantous de la Capitale
NA GAGNER BANGO
from the CD LES GRANDS SUCCES DES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE VOL 3
Anytha-Ngapy
17)Les Bantous de la Capitale
SUP' MADISON **
from the 45RPM SUPER BANTOUS ET MUJOS (No. 4)
Pathe / Stenco
18)Les Bantous de la Capitale
IN WALKED BUD ***
from the reel tape recorded by Leo Sarkisian
Voice of America archives
19)Les Bantous de la Capitale
FIFI ZONGELA NGAI
from the LP LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE
Music-Press
20)Ange Linaud
PETIT MODELE
from the LP ANGE LINAUD
Afro-Rtythmes
*=by request
**=courtesy of Stefan at Worldservice
***=courtesy of Mattew at Voice of America