FAREWELL, MADIBA.

RIP TABU LEY ROCHEREAU

A few months have passed since my last update. A lot has been going on in my life, please excuse me for the lack of updates. It pains me this morning to say that since my last update yet another legend of Congolese music, Pascal Tabu Ley Rochereau, has passed away. Tabu Ley (November 13, 1940 - November 30, 2013) was one of the most dynamic voices of Congolese rumba merging difference musical styles and beautiful meaningful lyrics as the leader of African Fiesta and later Afrisa International. He is also responsible for bringing grand diva Mbilia Bel (among others) to the forefront in a genre dominated by men. He often wrote songs for her that were very pro-Woman's rights leaving a strong impression on all who listened. He was a pioneer of mixing sounds and a great performer to boot. He will most certainly be missed. We leave you with one of his most famous compositions which is most fitting for the occasion "Mokolo Nakokufa" (The Day That I Die). RIP Seignuer Rochereau

RIP LIKINGA REDO MAGENZA (ZAIKO LANGA LANGA)

On Thursday August 8th, legendary Zaiko Langa Langa vocalist and songwriter Likinga Redo passed away.   Apparently he had been ill for a while and went to France to get treatment. Unfortunately he still succumbed to the illness. I will be posting more on this sad news tomorrow once I have gathered more information.

Until then I leave you with one of his compositions from his time with Zaiko Langa Langa in the 70s. The beautiful song Viya.

New Bozi Boziana Album - Fiko Fiko Fio

Here are some excerpt video clips from Bozi Boziana's latest album Fiko Fiko Fio.  Thank you DJ SLY of Congo Vibes for bringing this to my attention. Enjoy!

Baby Ndombe - Amelia Mamelo - Le Noir

A beautiful song from the son of Pepe Ndombe (TP OK Jazz and Afrisa International), Baby Ndombe. This is from his latest album Le Noir which came out sometime late last year (or maybe early this year I am not entirely sure). I am admittedly not familiar with his work but I will make it a point to seek him out. This song is great. His voice is amazing. He is definitely his father's son. Please enjoy. Thank you archos @ Congo Vibes for bringing this video to my attention. 

EDITED TO ADD: Also featured on the song is Baby Ndombe's younger brother Njo Ndombe aka 6 Etoiles.

AMELIA MAMELO

BOLOLÉ...New Fabregas Metis Noir Video

It's been a year and a few months since former Wenge Musica Maison Mére vocalist Fabregas left from underneath Werrason's wing to forge his own path as a solo artist.  His solo album Amour Amour has been well received by the public and has allowed him to perform across Europe and The DRC. On July 15th of this year he released a Special Edition version of Amour Amour which has a few new songs that do not appear on the initial release. You can purchase it from iTunes: Amour Amour (Collector's Edition).  He is one of my favorite new artists to emerge in the last few years for his unique approach to singing and great song writing.  Tambour d'Afrique wishes him continued success!

Amour Assassin...

In the DRC music industry it is not uncommon these days for a song writer to sell his song to more than one singer /producer who usually then puts his own spin on it and releases it.  Most times when this happens whoever the bigger star is who is singing the song will get the most recognition for it.

Today we will look at the song Amour Assassin. This song has been released on Fally Ipupa's latest opus "Power Kosa Leka" but Ferre Gola's vocalist Jus d'Orange recorded and released a video for it just weeks before PKL was released. I actually like both versions very much.  Fally's version is better produced over all with the production being more sleek and modern and the vocal arrangements more smooth while Jus d'Orange's version is more reminiscent of 'pure' rumba with the guitar arrangement taking center stage in the production yet it is less polished. They are both very good vocalists imo and the song is just very well written. You be the judge, which do you like best??

Jus d'Orange

Fally Ipupa

You can find the lyrics here: AMOUR ASSASSIN - CONGOKINLYRICS.BLOGSPOT.COM

Happy Independence Day, DRC/RDC!!

This year for Independence Day I share with you the movie Lumumba directed by Raoul Peck (read the blog entry I wrote about him and the movie Lumumba in 2007, HERE).  Enjoy and always remember the ancestors who fought for us and the freedom fighters who continue the work. Bless.

TRAILER OF THE MOVIE BY RAOUL PECK

CongoFest: Break The Silence

Next Saturday a big benefit concert called CongoFest: Break The Silence for the Democratic Republic of Congo will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 22nd. The line up looks great!!

Here's some information from Pittsburgh's cultural district website. Ticket information is also on the website.

"CONGOFEST: Break the Silence
a Humanitarian concert featuring PEPE FELLY MANUAKU WAKU, the creator of Congolese Pop Style

Afrika Yetu, with the Congolese Musicians of North America, present a stunning range of Congolese music, from traditional sounds of the Pygme forest to the more modern soukous music, with elements of rumba, samba, meringue and Congolese Styles of Afro-Jazz. CongoFest is a collaborating effort of Congolese musicians coming together for the first time for a melodic, rhythmic sound-filled concert of all Congolese styles to create awareness about the devastating war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. CongoFest’s musical potpourri is a treat for the eyes as well as ears when traditional dancers of WACONGO Dance Company and Patience Ibembo from Quartier Latin take stage and perform breathtaking movements of mutuashi, kwasa kwasa, soukous dance and more."

http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/38813/congofest-break-the-silence

New JB Mpiana, Ferre Gola & Tambour d'Afrique Tonight!

Here is a new rumba from JB Mpiana, from his upcoming Maxi-Single. The song "Zadio Kongolo" is dedicated to Mpiana's friend of the same name. The maxi single is being released especially for the wedding of Zadio and his bride Carole. 

Earlier this month Ferre Gola aslo released a wedding dedication to a couple named Etty & Flora. The song is simply named "Mariage"

Tune into Radio Triomphe tonight at 10pm for a new episode of Tambour d'Afrique, with Guy Angrand as your host!

Papa Wemba Pays Homage to Franco Luambo Makiadi

I hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. Here is a video of Papa Wemba paying homage to Le Grande Maitre, Franco.

Fally Ipupa performs with Vodacom Best of the Best Finalists & the Winner is... José Hendrix Ndelo *SEE WHOLE EPISODE BELOW*

For those who are unaware the international cellphone company Vodacom holds singing competitions in various markets across the world. One of those markets is the Democratic Republic of Congo.  In all honesty I only recently discovered this American Idol-like show and the fact that the DRC has held this show for at least 3 years now, when I stumbled across a clip of Fally Ipupa performing with the finalists of the Vodacom Best of the Best competition yesterday.  All of the contestants did pretty well in the clip I saw, check it out:

*EDITED TO ADD FULL FINALE EPISODE OF VODACOM CONGO BEST OF THE BEST*

The winner of the competition is José Hendrix Ndelo.  I actually started following José about 5 years ago on Myspace & keep in touch with him on Facebook (you can look him up by name).  Very humble and down to earth, not to mention extremely talented.  He mixes a lot of different styles to create a vibrant sound and has a great voice to boot. We here at Tambour d'Afrique wish José the best in all of his endeavors; Sky's the limit!

Here's a 3 video clip from his last project EMBRACE THE EARTH:

KIANDO - A STAR FOR YOU - WHEN IT FEELS

Boite Noire

After announcing his 3rd solo album "Boite Noire" almost 3 years ago, Ferre Gola is finally set to release his opus in June.  Here is an excerpt from one of the rumbas on the album. Enjoy...

Werrason Satellite +2

Check out these Werrason videos from his latest release "Satellite +2"

Ingredients

Satellite

Cayenne

Fally Ipupa...Power...Kosa Leka

The Congolese music industry has been buzzing in excitement for months over Fally Ipupa's newest album Power (Kosa Leka) since the release of videos for the hot singles Sweet Life and Power 001. Power..., Fally's 3rd Solo album is set to be released tomorrow April 5th, after being delayed from it's initial release date of March 30th due to CD printing issues. Today he has released two new songs from the album to Youtube and other Congolese music promotional outlets. Enjoy. Support Congolese music...

NDOKI

1000% MAWA

Tambour d'Afrique Tonight!

Hello Listeners! Tonight we Guy will be recording yet another episode of Tambour d'Afrique live from Brooklyn, NY on www.radiotriomphe.com at 10pm. Tune in for an exciting two hours filled with great Congolese music.

We have some episodes from the past that we are still working on trying to get up for you all. In the meantime please tune in every Saturday evening at 10pm EST-New York Time.

Here are some videos to enjoy for now. Thank you all for your continued support!

Solo Sita - Couleur Cafe


Nyboma - Kamale


Ferre Gola - 3ieme Doigt

Paroles...

In January, as I was learning the words to another one of my favorite Congolese songs, I realized that while there are several lyrics archives for genres such as R&B and Hip Hop there are no such archives available for Congolese Music.  For a genre that relies heavily on poetic lyricism I found this to be a shame.  I decided to take it upon myself to get such an archive started. This is how Congo-Kin Lyrics Archive was born. The blog is still in it's infant stages with a handful of entries. Please take the time out to visit the site. You can submit lyrics, translations and/or requests at congokinlyrics@gmail.com



I leave you on this Monday morning with a song that I have written and performed called Sanda.  It is part of my Kin Piracy Dub series which will be released this summer. For those who are not familiar Kin Piracy Dub is a project that I started in 2009 which involves me combining Dancehall Reggae music with Congolese lyrics and melodies.  Sanda is the first single off of Part II: Kingston to Kinshasa.
I hope you all enjoy. Have a great week!

Tresor...

This passed Saturday, Guy had the pleasure of interviewing the multi-talented Tresor Manuaku. As you may know Tresor is son of legendary guitarist & song writer Pepe Felly Manuaku (Zaiko Langa Langa, Grand Zaiko Wawa). The singer, rapper, dancer, guitarist was in town to perform at a Lumumba's Day celebration held here in New York City.  Here is footage that night:




Here he is singing his original composition "Love" @ Sugar Bar here in New York over the weekend:



Here he is performing "R&B Ndombolo":



You can purchase his EP R&B Ndombolo from iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/r-b-ndombolo-ep/id416972786

Here are a couple of official videos from R&B Ndombolo:

 "Casser ton Coeur"

"Dans Mon Lit"

Stay tuned for audio from this weekends Interview with Tresor!