L'Orchestre Super Boboto de Brazzaville emerged in the 1960s. They are often compared to Sosoliso, Negro Sucess and Veve. This song is called 'Mama Rita'. It definitely reminds me of a mix of Bantous de le capitale and Verkys. Very beautiful composition. Enjoy. Peace.
This blog focuses mainly on Congolese music but I had to take the time out and give respects to one of the greatest vocalists and activists of our time. South African singer and activist, Miriam 'Mama Afrika' Makeba passed away last night of a heart attack. Right before she passed away she was doing what she did best, singing in the name of activism at an anti-organized crime concert in southern Italy. She was 76 years old.
My first clear memory of Miriam Makeba was her guest appearance on The Cosby Show in 1991. I remember being in awe of her and not really knowing who she was but just feeling she was a person of great importance. I was only 9 years old and hadn't realized that I'd heard her music before; my parents owned a few of her 45inch records. It wasn't until a year and a half ago when I started really delving into African music that I discovered the power of her voice. She quickly became one of my idols as I too wish to use my music to move my people, the way she did. I shed a tear this morning when I found out she passed away. She put in a lifetime of work for our people and I am forever grateful to her and her life. Mama Makeba,toleli yo.
Khawuleza
Amampondo
Pata Pata
This is a performance from 2007. Watch Mama Makeba MOVE! We will miss you!
A couple episodes ago I had to make a mix based off the songs that Guy 'Mwana Mboka' played on the show that night. As I was reading the list I saw the song "EBOZA" written on the paper but for the life of me could not find the song on my harddrive for some reason. I thought maybe Guy meant "UPOSA" and posted that song instead lol. Well I was wrong and I found the song Eboza. This song comes from Zaiko's most electric era, the mid-70s. This is the era that brought Zaiko Langa Langa it's notoriety for creating exciting compositions based on love, mixed with social commentary, tight harmonies and grooves fit for getting down. I have yet to hear a song from them from this time period that I didn't love. Eboza is no exception. Please listen and enjoy...
Two days after the elections and I'm still in a bit of shock and disbelief as to who our new president is. I must say I am a cynical person with regards to the government and I never thought I would see the day a Black man would run this country and the "Free World" but the day is here. It's really here. I keep waiting for people on the news to say "HA! JUST KIDDING!" ha. But this is the reality! Barack Obama is PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Although I am not a political person at all and I see Democrats as the lesser of two evils in comparison to Republicans, I feel there is no way a person of African descent can not feel the need to celebrate President Barack Obama's victory. Unless of course they are a Republican or a staunch Hilary Supporter. Then I don't know what to say to them lol but I'm happy.
Seems like a cliche but to me his victory is a modern day symbol to all children out there of all backgrounds that the greatest accomplishments in life are not impossible. That we as people of African, Asian, Latin American, Native American, descent are not limited to the roles we usually take in society. This victory tells them it takes discipline determination and also the ability to unify people of like mind behind your causes BUT it is not impossible. We, the Human Race, are capable of the greatest things and have been stifled so long by those driven by greed but it's not impossible to move forward from that. His victory in and of itself is the greatest motivation. Since Hope was the theme of his campaign, I truly HOPE that his victory does motivate people to strive to make everyday life better, everywhere.
It's kind of tragic that it would take an event like this to make people believe in themselves but the reality is the symbol of a Black man as president is a symbol powerful enough to move people to action. Just the symbolism alone.
Also we must remember President Obama did not elect himself. It took the votes of the American people. So we who voted for him on the 4th are all victorious in his win; WE did it. He drummed up the hope and we followed though. Now it's his turn to put forth the ideas and policies he presented that got us all to vote. But I'm still in celebration mode right now all the way until Inauguration...then we can put him in the hot seat (haha).
The song playing right now is "Obama" by Kenyan American band Extra Golden. I just heard of them and saw their video on Likembe Here is the video:
I must say right now I am extremely frustrated. I recorded last weeks show but the program I was using left spaces in the recording. Over the past few days I've been editing the show to take the silent spaces out. Some how the show didn't save properly and all the audio is jumbled. I feel really bad because last weeks show was a very good one. The blog was set up so that those who don't get a chance to listen live can still hear the show and even enjoy different episodes over and over again. I am sorry to the fans of the show who expect to log on to Tambour d'Afrique to hear the shows they missed.
The good news is I finally found a program that shouldn't give me anymore problems and shows in the future will hopefully be error free and here for you to enjoy. Tomorrow I will put up a playlist of the songs Guy played on 10.25.08.
Also please note that old Divshare links are not working because there is a monthly download and upload limit. I am in the process of transferring all of these files to Imeem and Mediafire (for download).
Thank you for your patience and for continuing to log on to Tambour d'Afrique. Your support is appreciated.
On last weeks show a fan from Miami florida requested (live on air, yes you can do that!) "I Love You" by Abeti Masikini. I will leave you with this song. Until next time... Peace...
There is something about the sound and composition of this song I just can't get enough of. There is no duplicating this sound. The echo on the vocals is pure magic. Classic early Verkys production under Veve studios. The more I listen the more he's becoming my favorite Congolese composer.
Enjoy this song as I prepare Emission 10.25.08 for uploading. Peace...
01 PAPA WEMBA - BAKWETU (OPENING THEME) 02 FALLY IPUPA - ORGASY 03 DR NICO - LIMBISA NGAI 04 DR NICO - ZADIO 05 JB MPIANA - KINSHASA 06 JOSKY KIAMBUKUTA - CHANDRA 07 OK JAZZ - RADIO TROTTOIR 08 OK JAZZ - TOKOMA BA CAMARADES YA PAMBA 09 ABETI MASIKINI - I LOVE YOU 10 CALOUJI - DJ CALOUJI (COUPE DECALE) 11 SAM MANGWANA - LES RUMEURS 12 ORCHESTRA ETUMBA NA NGWAKA - CELIA 13 ROCHEREAU & FRANCO - COOPERATION 14 ZAIKO LANGA LANGA - NDONGE 15 PEPE KALLE - MAYI MONA 16 EMPIRE BAKUBA - LUNDOKISI 17 ZAIKO LANGA LANGA - ZAIKO WA WA (CLOSING THEME)
**Since the sound quality of the last show was bad I put together a mix of the songs that Guy played. Enjoy. Download Links for EVERY SHOW so far will be available soon. Thank you for your patience and continued support. Peace :)
Please tune into www.radiotriomphe.com @ 10pm Eastern Standard time (NY) for another exciting 2 hours full of miziki kitoko (beautiful music) with Guy "Mwana Mboka" Angrand!
Until then listen to this selection from Pablo "Petit Cachet" Ndjoli of Zaiko Langa Langa fame called "J.P. Suisse" from his 1993 album 'Retruvielles Parissienes'. This selection comes courtesy of Soukousman's Blog. Please visit his blog it has many gems. Also visit the other blogs and websites in our 'Friends of Tambour d'Afrique' section. If you have a blog you would like to be added to the roll, leave a comment and I will add you. Thank you for the continued support! Enjoy:
In less than a month on November 4th Americans will be voting for and electing a new president of the United States. We here at Tambour d'Afrique endorse and fully support Democratic Candidate, Senator Barack Obama.
Since his decision to run for President he has been seen as an agent for Change and Hope, not only in the United States but the world over. An example of his world wide popularity is the influx of support Obama has received through song. Here are a few of my favorites.
American singer/rapper/songwriter, Will.I.Am and friends - We Are The Ones (Obama)
Congolese born Kenyan based singer Samba Mapangala (featuring 14 year old rapper Faraka Ndege from Minneapolis) sings 'Obama Ubarikiwe' which means 'Obama be blessed' in Swahili. (The song playing through Imeem is the remix with no rap)
If you are in the U.S. and are eligible, PLEASE VOTE!
I haven't been updating with that much information in almost a year. I feel really bad about that actually. I have been working on my music and so my concentration on the genre of Congolese Rumba has been limited. I still find time to listen to it but I haven't really been thinking of different topics to speak on etc. I've decided to change that and there will be more updates in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned and keep visiting the site. Listen to Tambour d'Afrique tonight @ www.radiotriomphe.com 10 PM NY TIME and every Saturday at the same time.
We appreciate the fans very much. If you have any suggestions on how we could make the show and/or blog better please feel free to leave comments and your suggestions will be considered.
After being ravaged by Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Gustav, and Tropical Storm Hanna, over the course of a few weeks, Hurricane Ike violently swept through Haiti, leaving even more death and destruction in his wake. For the survivors of this hurricane rebuilding the little bit they had will take the help of others as most are left with absolutely nothing. Contact your local churches and community organizers and ask what you can do to help. Or go to the following links and send donations:
After being on vacation for 2 weeks Guy "Mwana Mboka" returned last night for a new episode of Tambour d'Afrique! During his vacation on July 28th it was found out that The Father of modern Congolese music, Antoine "Papa" Wendo Kolosoy had joined the ancestors. He did what he loved to do best, singing, up until his death, releasing his most recent album Banaya Papa Wendo just last year. May he rest in peace and may his memory and music live on forever. Peace...
Doing a little bit of catching up. A couple of weeks ago the show didn't record properly so I have compiled all the songs Guy played on the 12th into a nice little mix. Hope you all enjoy, peace...
Tambour d'Afrique Ad ft. Tabu Ley (Special Intro) Analengo - Papa Wemba Kin Kiesse - Zaiko Langa Langa Loi de la Nature - 4 Etoiles Basala La Vie - OK Jazz Bilenge Ya Lokole - Gaby Lita & Stukas Dessin Anime - Kofi Olomide Dose unique - Felix Wazekwa Kaa Chonjo - Samba Mapangala Kitoko Ya Fololo - Alpatchino Double Vie - Josky Kinshasa - JB Mpiana 365 Jours x2 - Ferre Gola Orgasy - Fally Ipupa Le Petrolier - Blaise Bola Mwana Mboka - Samba Mapangala & Les Kinios (Special Outro)
Over the past few years in rediscovering Congolese rumba I have been greeted with the exclamation "HUIT KILOS!!" several times during the Sebene, in various compositions that i've heard . I eventually came to realize through a little bit of google work that members of the various bands were chanting the name of one very talented guitarist who has brought magic to many songs that I love.
Huit Kilos, guitar virtuoso and composer, started making music on a guitar made from a cooking oil can and a piece of wood. At first playing secretly, as his father was opposed to Huit’s becoming a guitarist, the young boy prevailed when one day his family, to their surprise, saw him playing the guitar on television! He was only 12 years old. Huit Kilos went on to become Africa's best known lead guitarist — a leader in the creation of the Congolese and Soukous guitar sounds that swept Africa and Northwestern Europe with their immense popularity.
As lead guitarist for a number of top bands, Huit Kilos is one of the handful of Congolese studio musicians who has given shape to the highly distinctive Soukous sound. He has recorded as a studio guitarist on over 100 albums and rocked the most demanding dance crowds in live performances around the world.
During a musical career now spanning more than 35 years Huit Kilo’s soukous guitar style is recognized as one of the central shaping factors of Zaire/Congolese pop music. Huit has been the lead guitarist for many of the greatest names of Congolese music: Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Afrisa International Langa Langa Stars, Victoria Eleison with King Kester Emeneya, Dindo Yogo’s Macchi, Bella Soum with Ngouma Lokito, Etumbana Ngwaka Tabu Ley is of course Huit Kilo’s longest and most renowned association. As Tabu Ley Rochereau is often credited with being the creator of soukous, one would be remiss in not crediting lead guitarist Huit Kilos as a seminal force in that creative process. Together, Tabu Ley and Huit Kilos brought rumba and soukous music to the western world, and made Tabu Ley Rochereau one of the all-time greatest stars not only of Congolese music, but of African music as a whole. After working together across Africa for three years, in 1988 Tabu Ley Rochereau and Huit Kilos moved to Paris to spearhead soukous’ historic drive to European popularity, most notably in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. While focusing most of his efforts on Tabu Ley Rochereau’s Afrisa International Orchestra, in Paris Huit Kilos also recorded with many African-Parisian bands on numerous hit records targeting principally the European market.
Listen to a few selections with him playing lead. The first time I noticed his name was on the song Mokili by the not so known band Les Noirs. Then again on Yoko Toli by Etumba Na Ngwaka. Since I've heard more that I posses in my hard drive but I can't find them all now because I can't remember the songs but I will add them to the playlist as I come across them. Enjoy these three selections:
Bakwetu - Papa Wemba(Theme) Tokoma Ba Camarade ya Pamba - Franco & OK Jazz Meka Okangama Mbanzi Ya Kamundele Tailleur Makambo Ezali Bourreau Ndaya Shout For Freedom - Jimmy Cliff w/Franco & OK Jazz Love Me - Jimmy Cliff w/Pepe Felly & Grand Zaiko Wawa Fololo Ya Nzembo 1 - Zaiko Langa Langa Toli Ya Kulu Ima Elo Zaiko Wawa (Closing Theme)
I'm just going to come out and say it, my favorite era of Congolese music is not that of the present (the 70s to the early 80s is, if you're wondering). But I have to be fair there are most certainly a few young artists holding down the genre and carrying on the tradition of creating the kind of cutting edge music the Congo has been known to produce for so long.
To me Celeo Scram to me is one such artist.
Granted my ear is different from those who were alive or grown during the earlier more celebrated 'epoches' of Congolese music so they might disagree with my choices lol If that's the case feel free to leave comments and get a discussion going :)
To me Celeo Scram, like Fally Ipupa and Mimitah, brings enough of the old and the new to satisfy all generations, regardless of which era you favor most. Once atakulu for Werrason, Celeo Scram is set to release the new album "Nzoto Na Nzoto". For more info on Celeo Scram and music check out his Myspace page: Celeo Scram on Myspace
Listen to some of his music here:
Celeo Scram ft KMS
Celeo ft Fally Ipupa - Didi Kinuani
Celeo and his group Danse Ya Likossi (dance the Likossi)
Today in the United States it is Father's Day. On this day we celebrate the role our father's have played in our lives and thank them. For those whose biological father's didn't raise them they take the time out to thank those who played the role. For those who have lost their fathers they take this day to remember them.
I would like to wish a Happy Father's Day to my dad. You all may know him as Guy Angrand the host of Tambour d'Afrique. I know him as Daddy! Thank you Daddy for always encouraging me even when I wasn't following the path you might have wanted me to take. Thank you for always being there for us and showing us what it truly means to be a Father. I love you! WE love you! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! :)
I would also like to wish a Happy Father's Day to my uncles Tonton Leslie and Tonton Gaby, Tonton Pepe' and Tonton Romain true models in fatherhood. To my friend Claud and my cousin Stephan who both became father's for the first time earlier this year , here's to many more Happy Father's Days to you all.
In commemoration of Father's Day I would like to play this song by the late great Dindo Yogo that he wrote for his son Lola Muana. The song is called...Lola Muana. Enjoy ECOUTE ICI/LISTEN HERE
*Last night was a great show, but don't take my word for it, take a listen!
Emission 06-14-08: bakwetu - theme song bill clinton kalonji - bulangeti blaise bula - okota fally ipupa - orgasy jp mpiana - toujours humble josky kiambukuta - chandra empire bakuba - nazoki sam mangwana - affaire video madilu system tabou combo - race semble' tabou combo - tabu mania zaiko langa langa zaiko langa langa - zaiko wawa
This year in the month of May vocalist Tshala Muana celebrates 30 years in the recording industry (and also her birthday on May 13th, Happy Birthday Tantine!) On last week's show (05/10/08) Guy talked about her accomplishments at length and played some selections from her discography. Listen and download the show here:
Last year I posted an entry on The Queen of Mutuashi so I won't waste space by repeating her biography here. Instead I will link you to another blog by the name of Sahara Vibe and their recent article on Tshala Muana. SAHARA VIBE - TSHALA MUANA QUEEN OF MUTUASHI
Mama Na Ngai: Myriam & My Little Brother G.R. (Photo taken by Guy Angrand circa 1989)
This passed Sunday was Mother's Day in the states. In remembrance of mothers past and appreciation of mother's still here I would like to dedicate this Gaby Lita & Stukas song, Mama Na Ngai. In Lingala Mama Na Ngai means My Mother.
After being plagued with technical difficulties the blog will finally be back to regularly updated entries and weekly show updates!
From now on the download and streaming will be two different links. I will no longer be using divshare due to uploading and downloading limits placed on the links.
The show will be streamed through Imeem and available for download in two parts through Zshare.
I still have a few shows to transfer to this computer, until then enjoy these videos and remember Tambour d'Afrique tomorrow night @ 10pm Eastern Time (NYC). Peace...
As you can probably tell we are undergoing some changes. Some of your favorite links may be missing. I am in the process of fixing things. Stay tuned for Emission 03.22.08
Technological problems have been interfering with updates. The site divshare that I used to upload shows has changed its format where there are limits on both uploads and the amount of downloads. I am in the process of searching for a better site to host the shows. Also the design update is taking much longer than I thought it would.
We here at Tambour d'Afrique urge you to hang in there while these things are taken care of. In the meantime the show still airs every saturday night from 10pm - 12am New York Time (4-6am Paris, 5-7am Kinshasa). Please continue to tune in @ www.radiotriomphe.com during show times to catch brand new episodes of Tambour d'Afrique w/Guy Angrand.
Thank you for your continued support and patience. Peace...
On saturday night after I recorded Tambour d'Afrique I attended my friend's birthday party and spent the day at her house. For that reason I have yet to upload the show from last week and the week before. As you know Tambour d'Afrique just celebrated 1 year on the air. Those two shows are a 2 part celebration of Tambour d'Afrique's birthday and the New Year. Be sure to check back in for the mp3 links.
In the meantime I wanted to talk about an artist by the name of Verkys. He went from being Franco's right hand man in his early teens to owning his own Production Studio in his midtwenties and breaking some of Congolese music biggest acts of the 70s like Zaiko Langa Langa. Read this article I read from Afropop.org: Verkys Biography.
I've been listening to a lot of Verkys' work and I wanted to share a few songs that I love.
Last weeks show will be upped soon. The website that I use to upload files divshare has been having some technical difficulties this week. I may have to switch to another program. Anyhow the redesign of the blog is underway. An online buddy of mine who goes by hardware is doing the redesign for me. I would like to publicly thank him, THANKS! You can see his artwork at his blog, You Don't See Us. His art is really great. I'm really thankful for his services and can't wait to see what he turns out. I'm 100% sure it will be an awesome looking webdesign.
I would like to thank you all for your patience and for sticking by Tambour d'Afrique for this past year. Our mission to make a better radio show and blog that does congolese music justice continues.
I will leave you all with a song I've been listening to a lot this week. It is called Tantine Betena by Langa Langa Stars. Enjoy...PEACE
