After a long battle with an unspecified illness, renown vocalist and song writer formally of the legendary band Zaiko Langa Langa, Bimi Ombale passed away April 29th at a clinic in Kinshasa, DRC. This comes as very sad news to us here at Tambour d'Afrique where we are definitely Zaiko-centric.
Bimi, born Andre Bimi Ombale Mwana Wabi, had a beautiful voice and sang lead on many of Zaiko's greatest hits of the 70s and 80s such as "Ando", "Zena", "Lisapo"& my personal favorite "Sandra Lina". By the end of the 70s when many of Zaiko's staple artists such as Papa Wemba and Pepe Felly left the band Bimi remained with Jossart Nyoka Longo to front the group.
In 1988 along with Zaiko Langa Langa he released the album "Sentiment Bimi" which features a medley of some of his greatest hits up until that point.
His other solo albums include "Mbengele Zouk" (1989) and "Balle de Match" (1990).
Bitter disputes during the late 80s caused Zaiko Langa Langa to finally split into two camps Zaiko Langa Langa Nkola Mboka & Zaiko Famillia Dei of which he joined the latter. He wrote many songs for the band. He also sang with Clan Langa Langa at one point. He went on to release music though the 90s. He eventually became a gospel artist.
His contribution to Zaiko Langa Langa and the legacy of Congolese music will live on forever. May he rest in peace.
Tune in this evening for a new episode of Tambour d'Afrique at 10pm @ www.radiotriomphe.com and also catch the live ustream HERE
Yesterday as I was trying to make changes to the webpage I somehow ruined the format of the html. I am pretty much illiterate in html and so I had no idea how to fix what I messed up so I had to start from scratch. The site I got the template from is no longer up so I couldn't repost it. I hope this one isn't too hard on the eyes. I like the format but the background color isn't what I wish it were. Anyway over time the site's look will probably be changing a few times until I find something really nice again. Still working on getting last weeks show to you. Stay tuned. For now I will leave you with some songs I recently acquired...
This first song is by Dindo Yogo, singer of Zaiko Langa Langa fame. Its from his solo release "Chante Piscos" which was released in 1990. DL:Sharufa
This next song is from the Bimi Ombale led Zaiko Langa Langa project, "Sentiment Bimi" which was released in 1988. DL: Moloki
This last selection is from the band Los Nickelos de Zato, Zizi & Jo Rino. From a compilation of their songs of the late '60s. DL: Bolingo Ya Telephone (Telephone Love)
That's what ZAIKO means. Taken from their official website:
" The name Zaiko...is an abreviation of Lingala expression signifying,' Zaire (Zai) ya Bankoko (Ko) ' = Zaire of our ancestors."
When I think of Zaiko Langa Langa I would say they definitely represent and remind me of the Zaire of my most immediate ancestors, namely my mother. In 1971, the year after Ochestra Zaiko formed, the Congo was christened Zaire, for the great river and as if almost on cue L'Orchestre Zaiko came and took the Congolese music scene by storm. Thus creating the soundscape for the Zaire of my ancestors closest to me (in time).
*My father says people don't like to even see the name Zaire because of what was happening politically during that period between 1971 and 1997 when that was the country's name. Pardon me if this brought you any bad feeling. I was just expressing what I felt when I found out what Zaiko meant.*
YA MIZIKI YA CONGO GETS A FACE LIFT
It must be said that Zaiko Langa Langa transformed Congolese music and aided in giving it a more distinct sound from rumba. First step in moving in that direction was leaving out rumba's stapled horn section. The solo guitar and sped up snares and drums were the stars of the show and once the beat would break they forced the listener to move. Meanhile the strong harmonies carried lyrics of love and life that moved the listener inside. Their live show was nothing to scoff at either. They brought great energy to the stage popularizing the "ANIMATIOR" in ya miziki ya Congo. The animator would shout call and response sets and dance moves bringing the crowd into a frenzy. The singers themselves would get down too! Check them out in this 1975 performance on National Zaire TV performing LISAPO. Pepe Felly is there but in the shadows letting the guitar skills steal the show. The singers at this time were (from left to right): Mbuta Mashakado, Bimi Ombale, Nyoka Longo & Likinga
this entry is dedicated to my mother, may she rest in peace
myriam nsalu vita luyeye-angrand 1959-2001 (photo courtesy of guy angrand)
