Zaire and Congo music reviews

Its still dumbfounding to realize that the sweetest voice in Congolese music came from the lungs of this giant. Here Pepe Kalle justs lets the voice fly and it is a marvel. With Diblo Dibala on lead guitar you've got a combination of two of the greatest Soukous heavyweights of all time. This album rocks. There is not one weak tune. Bilala Lala is my favourite though Pon Moun Paka Bouge ("Everybody Stop Moving!") sent an entire continent to the dancefloor when it first came out in the mid 90s. What a sad day it was when his heart stopped ticking. This is the album to listen if you want to discover the beauty of Congolese music as it was delivered through Soukous in the 80s and 90s.

People of Colombia are also familiar with Pepe Kall�. The song Vie Yamoto - Known as "Puro Machetazo" was very popular in the northern coast of Colombia. We all will miss him.

The most outstanding, and best produced, Soukous album. Some of the songs just explode out at you...

This CD is a must have to all lovers of Soukous music and alike. I can't stress enough how I like this CD, to put it in perspective, I rate it 5+, if there is such ratings. Please pick it up if you haven't done so.

Nice clean sound with Diblo Dibala's guitar playing featured up front. His playing just keeps everything moving. Good female vocal backup on some of the tracks.

It's good, soukouss fans will like it.

After listening to all types and forms of music from all accross the globe for close to 4 decades now, it is my considered opinion that on the whole that African musicians (especially guitarists) are still not paid the full recognition they deserve! Any living human instantly connects and is transported with the expressive, enrapturing music on this CD!! (After all Africa is indeed the crucible and originator of all life and music!

I'm glad to have this cd!it reminds me of home;listening to Remmy ongalla.i recommend it to everybody .

More than the hundreds of other African oriented cds and albums that I own, this album is one that I keep going back to for inspiration and fun. Ongala's vocals are just the tip of the iceberg on this lp. His words speak volumes as to his existence, and that of countless others around him. The passion he exudes leaves no doubt that he is fully in tune with all that is around him.

As if the lyrics weren't enough, you have the music itself. His wonderful blend of soukous (a common brand of East African rhythms akin to zouk music of the Caribbean) spearheads the LIFE that permeates this album. His use of horns reminds the listener of Fela Kuti's bands of the late 70's and early 80's- the power of the horns on several of the tracks steals the show.

Ongala's lps are a great introduction to the music of East Africa, complete with the soukous guitar styles and horns- all commonplace in this part of the world. More importantly, this lp will bring you joy and an appreciation of music. It is the universal language, to be sure. As Frank Zappa so often said- "Music is the best!"

Remmy Ongala is just marvellous. A Zairean superstar who can change languages at the drop of a hat, he brought wonderful rumba-like music from Zaire to Tanzania. His music though sometimes political, is very deep and passionate. I will never forget the first cd of his that I bought, "Sema" This music whether you are African or European as I am is enough to die for. Remmy Ongala, Na kupenda sana asante!

The song "Argent Ne Fait Pas le Bonheur" is unbelievable. I am not sure who is playing the guitar, (Diblo? - I think I hear his name shouted out amongst the licks) but this has got to be one of the tightest, 'soulfulest' guitar/vocal compositions I have heard, and I own about 40 Congolese Soukous and Rumba albums. The other songs on the album are all gems. Especially: Moyibi, G�rant, and of course there is (Roger) Milla. If you want one Pepe album, or one soukous album for that matter, own this one.

This album is pure class, kalle will forever be a legend.for those of you want to hear what real soukous sounds like ,check this album you can,t go wrong.that dance, how does he do it! his gone but his legend lives on, till then ameh! ameh!

It's a real loss to the world that Pepe passed away, but his music will live on. This album has so much class.

I really love African rumba music, and this is one of the best CDs that is still in print. The CD is contains two albums recorded in the 1970's: Maria Tebbo (1979) and Waka Waka (1978). Sam Mangwana played with and became one of the masters of Rumba music with Franco and Tabu Ley. This is classic Rumba music, magically happy guitars, hopping horns and "let's dance sister" kind of music. Unless your heart is made of stone, you can't go wrong.

Sam Mangwana posee una de las mejores voces de la m?sica popular congolesa (y eso es mucho decir porque una de las caracter?sticas de esa m?sica es que tiene muchas buenas voces). Este disco compacto contiene todas las canciones de dos LP's que fueron grabados entre 1978 y 1979. Los arreglos musicales son exquisitos. Toda persona que quiera tener ejemplos de m?sica africana con fuerte influencia caribe?a debe escuchar este disco.

Sam Mangwana posee una de las mejores voces de la m�sica popular congolesa (y eso es mucho decir porque una de las caracter�sticas de esa m�sica es que tiene muchas buenas voces). Este disco compacto contiene todas las canciones de dos LP's que fueron grabados entre 1978 y 1979. Los arreglos musicales son exquisitos. Toda persona que quiera tener ejemplos de m�sica africana con fuerte influencia caribe�a debe escuchar este disco.

I'd say Rochereau and Franco had a good thing going back then. I still prefer either one on his own, but still I'd go for this cd, no question about it. This album gets a high rating as it deserves.

Some of the most rhythmically beautiful music I've ever heard. Franco's ringing guitar and sweet, high vocals intertwine with Tabu Ley's rich tenor to make music that is rapturously gorgeous. "Ngungi" and "Kabassele In Memoriam" are standouts. Whether you're a fan of African music or not, this music transcends genre.

It's about my vue regarding the main title of this CD; I was still in France a while ago, reading another review we kept talking about the said title: OMONA WAPI It's almost disgusting to see that the artist who wrote this song is being ignored by the company that's released this album: MODERO MEKANISI who is also a well known Congolese (Zairean)musician, a successfull songwritter and a leading artist; I'd personally purchased the vinyl original version of this CD, produced by SONODISC (GENIDIA) in France, the songwritter name is was MODERO on that album; now how does it come that this author's name is replaced by TABU LEY ROCHEREAU & FRANCO LWAMBO in the USA? and who's being paid for this. We are going to ask some the african artists we know if they could let the real OMONA WAPI's song- writter protect his copyrights here and ask this company handle african artist's business properly?

FIDOS BUNNY

Not much more to say than already has... This album is remarkable. The singing is sublime and the rythms are masterful. I would say my only problem is the guitar effect used on a briliant guitar solo on track 2. It is too metalic. Other than that, this is one of my favorite Mangwanas.

On this recording, rumba congolaise legends Sam Mangwana and Dino Vangu join forces to bring the listener a lively collection of great songs of their genre. Mangwana's vocals are strong and full of life -- Vangu's songwriting well-crafted, and his guitar...if Congolese rumba has a trademark element, those ringing guitar riffs and rhythms are it. There is nothing that sound like it in any other form of music. Listening to it brings to my mind some classics of the form from years ago -- Daouda Tou Kone's timeless album LE SENTIMENTAL, Lea Lignanzi's DEDE PRESCILLA.

The songs, the musicianship, the tight harmonies, the pure emotion and joy of this album is infectious. There are no translations provided here (my only complaint, and a small one), and some of these songs could conceivably be sad -- but make no mistake about it, this album is a complete joy to experience.

This is a timeless record and will more than likely be neglected by U.S. critics and music fans.Mangwana has performed and recorded with the masters and creators of Congolese rumba, Franco and Tabu Ley. He is an important vocalist in Music History and this record is an important document.I hate the term World Music because it describes absolutely nothing about any of the music that is lumped into it. All Music is of the World. This record nearly transcends this World.I would also recommend Madilu System, another amazing recording artist who was Franco's favorite vocalist. Also check out the late Pepe Kalle, Tshala Muana, M'bilia Bel, Extra Musica, Wenge Musica (all splinter versions of the band), Kester Emeneya, Kanda Bongo Man, Koffi Olomide, Samba Mapangala, Alain Kounkou, Awilo Longomba, General Defao, J.B. M'piana, Loketo (Diblo Dibala and Aurlus Mabele, and of course Franco (with or without O.K.) and Tabu Ley.

I've really enjoyed listening to this. I think it's a masterpiece. From the first track to the last, full of first class talent. Certainly a must have!

Wow, this is one hot CD -- well OK, I don't own the CD, I own the video! Great music to dance to. Most of the clips are in classic style - start off slow and mellow, and then heat up into a frenzy of animation and guitar riffs. I would reccommend this to anyone!

Wow, this is one hot CD -- well OK, I don't own the CD, I own the video! Great music to dance to. Most of the clips are in classic style - start off slow and mellow, and then heat up into a frenzy of animation and guitar riffs. I would reccommend this to anyone!

The passing of the gentle giant of Congolese Rumba leaves a big hole that cannot be filled. This recording showcases his strengths and ability to express his soul. He had one of the best voices in any musical genre and thankfully there are wonderful examples available on CD. He was a natural talent who did not follow trends.

The music is very nice to listen to but the video is the best so far, we will miss you Peppe Kalle

This is one of the best of Pepe Kalle. If you liked the best of Pepe Kalle albulm, You will certainly love this one.

I thought this was one of Ongala's original recordings to remind me of 'good old days' growing up along the lake shores of western Kenya. It turns out this is Ongala renditioning some of his old popular songs in the English language. Comes out as artistically weak and unoriginal in my opinion. However, if you never knew Ongala's work of the 80s, or are not a diehard fan of authenticity you may actually find this CD enjoyable.

This is a superb album for people or all musical tastes. The singing is polished and soulful. The rhythm section is exciting and compelling. But the guitar playing, in particular, is quite wonderful -- enormously complex and sophisticated, but also beautifully musical and melodic. If you like the music of Central and East Africa, you'll love this. If you've only heard West African performers, this will open a new world to you. If you've not had much experience with contemporary African sounds, this would be a great place to jump in. Get two copies, coz you'll wear the first one out!

The CD has the smooth taste of Swahili music. I recommend the CD to all East Africans abroad. As usual Remmy is at his best again.