Empire Bakuba & Papy Tex – Livre d’or
https://amf.didiermary.fr/empire-bakuba-papy-tex-livre-or/
Empire Bakuba was founded in 1972 by Pepe Kalle, Papy Tex (Jean Dode Matolu) and Dilu Dilumona, and became an influential soukous band that formed in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Kasai Allstars – The Large Bird, the Woman and the Baby
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kasai-allstars-large-bird-woman-baby-remix/
The Large Bird, the Woman and the Baby is the track picked by the band for their 3rd music video: they were inspired by the supernatural atmosphere which, they felt, is a great illustration to the song’s tale of magic.
The Kinshasa DRC collective pursues its productive streak: elected by numerous publications [...]
Emmanuel Jal, Vanessa Mdee, Juliani & Syssi Mananga – Tusimame
https://amf.didiermary.fr/emmanuel-jal-vanessa-mdee-juliani-syssi-mananga-tusimame/
South Sudan’s Emmanuel Jal, the internationally acclaimed recording artist and inspiring humanitarian has joined forces with some of music’s biggest stars, including Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee, Congo’s Syssi Mananga and Kenya’s Juliani in the making of Tusimame, a pan-African musical stand against the destruction of Africa’s heritage and for the protection of Africa's elephants.
King Kester Emeneya – Willo Mondo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/king-kester-emeneya-willo-mondo/
Jean Baptiste “King Kester” Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu (1956 – 2014) was a Congolese singer.
Widely considered an innovator, Emeneya was among the first to use music programming and synthesizers, as featured on his Nzinzi album, which sold millions of copies worldwide in 1987.
Dr Nico, Tabu Ley & Afrisa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dr-nico-tabu-ley-afrisa/
Rare video of Dr Nico performing in Zaïre with Tabu Ley Rochereau and his Afrisa International Orchestra. Probably from the early 1980s, direct from the vaults of WorldSrv.
There are unfortunately very few videos of this pioneer of Congo-Zairian soukous and rumba Docteur Nico Kasanda (Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay, […]
Baloji – Buy Africa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/baloji-orchestre-katuba-kuku-buy-africa/
“Buy Africa” is a cover of Fela Kuti’s song by Baloji & L’Orchestre de la Katuba, Feat. Kuku for Red Hot + Fela, the tribute album released in 2013. The original song was recorded at Abbey Road for the album “London Scene” in 1971 (see below).
To understand where Fela’s musical quest […]
Fredy Massamba Feat. Tumi Molekane – Unity
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fredy-massamba-tumi-molekane-unity/
“Unity” is the first single from Makasi, the 2nd solo album by Fredy Massamba, released in 2013.
Born in a working-class district of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo, Fredy Massamba stands out for his strong, powerful voice, his commitment to defending African languages and above all, his […]
Sam Mangwana – Georgette
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sam-mangwana-georgette/
“Georgette Eckins” on album “Sam Mangwana et l’African All Stars” released in 1978, when the band was rising.
The African All Stars is particularly aptly named, having featured no less than Dally Kimoko, Lokassa Ya Mbongo, Syran Mbenza among other emblematic signatures of Congolese rumba. In the late 70s, the orchestra accompanied Sam Mangwana on […]
Nyboma & les Kamale Dynamiques
https://amf.didiermary.fr/double-double-nyboma-kamale-dynamiques-zaire/
Orchestre Kamale (aka “Kamale Dynamiques”) was formed in 1975 by singer Nyboma Mwan’dido with members of Orchestre Lipua-Lipua, where he was a singer from 1973 to 1975 and where he had his first hit “Kamale”.
Orchestre Kamale didn’t last very long and split up in 1978.
Franco & l’OK Jazz – Mado (Infidélité)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/franco-ok-jazz-mado/
“Mado” (Infidélité) is a classic from 1969, composed by bass player Céli Bitshou, sung by Franco, Youlou and Boyibanda.
Through the 1960s, Franco and O.K. Jazz toured regularly and recorded prolifically. By 1967, Franco was a co-leader of the band, with vocalist Vicky Longomba. When Vicky left in 1970, Franco became [...]
Kasai AllStars live
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kasai-allstars-live-2015/
Intoxicating trance music from the heart of Africa: Kasai Allstars live is a startling blend of tradition and urban.
I filmed them in July 2009 in Paris (Cabaret Sauvage) for my late blog KoToNTeeJ. Video is not that good, but the feeling and energy are visible. […]
Souzy Kasseya – Le Téléphone Sonne (1983)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/souzy-kasseya-telephone-sonne/
Early 80’s Classic Soukous with Souzy Kasseya (Kaseya Suzy Seyo Souza) and “Le Téléphone Sonne.”
Spotted by Joseph Kabasélé aka Grand Kallé, he joined the relaunch of African Team, a short-lived orchestra created in 1969 in Paris, that included at the time Jean-Serge Essous, Manu Dibango and many more. This talented and eclectic artist became […]
Orchestre Macchi – Lola Muana
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-macchi-lola-muana/
Lorsqu’un groupe de jeunes dirigé par Dindo Yogo (Théodore Djangi Dindo Yogo) et Nseka dit “Huit Kilos” forment l’Orchestre Macchi autour 1973-74, ils proposent un nouveau son à travers la guitare de Huit Kilos et l’ensemble des musiciens.
Dindo Yogo (1955-2000) a été le chanteur de Zaïko Langa Langa entre 1984 et 1991.
Scène musicale Africaine 80s à Paris
https://amf.didiermary.fr/explosion-scene-musicale-africaine-80s-paris/
Ce billet fait suite à un article de septembre 2018 sur l’explosion de la scène musicale africaine dans les années 80 à Paris, en particulier grâce au soutien de la diaspora, que j’avais lu en son temps… Si j’étais déjà “branché” musiques du continent, j’avais quitté Paris à cette époque et n’ai donc pas pu […]
Mbote Na Beno Vol. 1-3
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mbote-na-beno-vol-1-3/
The 3 volumes of “Mbote Na Beno” (Hi there! when greeting a person in Kikongo language) are compilations of Congolese music by NoForm: Production, a Swiss label by “La Société des Ambianceurs” (see also La Sape, Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elégantes), to relay their work and eclectic projects.
Each compilation contains a mix […]
#70smusic #80smusic #Compilation #Congo #DJing #Rumba #Soukous
Pamelo Mounk’a – L’argent appelle l’argent (1981)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/pamelo-mounka-argent-appelle-1981/
Grand classique issu de la période solo (hors Bantous de la Capitale) et parisienne de l’artiste Pamelo Mounka (ou Mounk’a).
Ce titre a été repris par de multiples autres artistes depuis sa création.
“Indépendance Cha Cha” revisited by Baloji
https://amf.didiermary.fr/independance-cha-cha-baloji/
Shot in the “Bon marché” (Barumbu) neighbourhood, at the heart of Kinshasa, featuring the late Wendo Kolosoy‘s backing band, “Indépendance cha-cha – Le jour d’après” is a new take on the African independence anthem written in 1960 by Joseph “Grand Kallé” Kabasele and Nicolas “Dr. Nico” Kasanda.
Don’t forget to listen to the original version.
Dance with Ry-co Jazz
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dance-with-ry-co-jazz/
Ten Afro-Latin gems from the Congolese band Ry-co Jazz, recorded between 1961 and 1966 for the Disques Vogue series “Dansons avec…” (Dance with…). Ry-co Jazz was one of the leading combos during the heydays of Afro-Latin music in Central and West Africa. Their rhythmical and amusing play tempted European listeners and soon they recorded in […]
Jupiter & Okwess – Mieux que ça
https://amf.didiermary.fr/jupiter-okwess-mieux-que-ca/
Taken from “Na Kozonga” album, by Jupiter & Okwess, released in 2021.
Hailing from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afropop, funk, rock and jazz outfit Jupiter & Okwess returns with the explosive ‘ Na Kozonga’ album, a blast of energy that bewitches the body and feeds the spirit . Their latest invites guests from […]
Ray Lema – Marabout (Lyolela)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ray-lema-marabout-iyolela/
The song “Marabout” is from the album “Medecine” in 1984. This track is referenced as having two drummers: Boffi Banengola and Tony Allen.
The Docteur Is In
The Congolese rumba pioneer Docteur Nico helped define the sound of African decolonization—and became one of the great visionaries of the electric guitar.
https://www.nybooks.com/online/2026/03/11/the-docteur-is-in-nico-congolese-rumba/
African Jazz & Grand Kalle – Parafifi (1957)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-jazz-grand-kalle-parafifi-1957/
Enregistrée dès 1953, en 78T, la chanson “Parafifi” a beaucoup évolué au fil du temps et de la composition des orchestres qui accompagnent alors l’artiste Joseph Kabasele alias Kallé.
Quelle est la signification du titre ?
C’est tout simplement la contraction de deux prénoms en dédicace à Paraiso (Para), béninois et ami de Kallé, et […]
Les Belgicains
https://amf.didiermary.fr/les-belgicains/
The compilation “Les Belgicains – Na Tango Ya Covadia 1964-1970” (‘Les Belgicains’ during the time of Covadia 1964-1970) tells the remarkable story of the first Congolese student orchestras in Belgium.
During that time Congolese referred to countrymen living in Belgium as ‘Les Belgicains’. The music presented on this compilation blew a new, fresh wind through […]
Johnny Bokelo & Conga Succès – Tambola na Mokili
https://amf.didiermary.fr/johnny-bokelo-conga-succes-tambola-na-mokili/
Johnny Bokelo, born Jean Bokelo Isenge in the (late) 1930s in then Belgian Congo, moved to Leopoldville in 1958 where he founded multiple orchestras, first with his elder brothers (Alberto Bosaba, Lokonda Mpoku aka Ondo-Ondo, Paul Ebengo Isenge aka Dewayon), then as a guitarist, composer and bandleader. After a long career in Rumba [...]
James Brown in Kinshasa (1974)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/james-brown-kinshasa-1974/
James Brown in Kinshasa? Yes, in 1974!
James Brown, the Godfather on the stage for the “Soul Power” concert in Kinshasa in ’74 in a large extract from the documentary released as DVD in 2008. […]
