Congo
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Sam Mangwana Sings Dinu Vangu (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Sam Mangwana - Audio CD
This
CD hails the return of the Congolese rumba by one of the great veteran singers
of the genre. Sam Mangwana, who has sung with such giant figures of Congolese
music as Franco and Tabu Ley Rochereau, revives a style that has fallen out of
fashion--and it makes for glorious listening.
The
Rough Guide to Franco: Africa's Legendary Guitar Maestro (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
Franco
an introduction to the
finest tracks from Franco, arguably the greatest African musician of the
twentieth century. This album is a great introduction to this African legend
for the uninitiated and a handy collection for established fans
The Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
Various Artists
Congolese music
- rumba or soukous - has been at the core of African dance music for almost
half a century, surpassing just about every other African pop style in
existence. The Rough Guide To Congolese Soukous profiles the sweet guitar sound
and hip-swinging rhythms of this superb dance rhythm, featuring tracks from
some of Africa's greatest stars.
Megamix, Vol. 1
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Lokassa & Soukous Stars -
Audio CD
Kwassa Kwassa (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Kanda Bongo - Audio
CD
Music of the Rain Forest
Pygmies (amazon.com) - USAby Various Artists
Pygmy Music is
perhaps best described as bursts of harmonic yoldeling, intertwining in a
dynamic, rhythmic fashion. It could be quite hypnotising and the enviromental
forest setting makes the overall effect fascinating.
Molokai (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Papa Wemba - Audio CD
This
live studio performance from one of Africa's greatest stars is a collection of
classic hits and new songs, produced by John Leckie, reflecting this stage of
Wemba's musical odyssey
Originalite (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Franco & L'o.K. Jazz - Audio
CD
I was amazed to find that this music is available on CD. These are
important recordings, documenting a seminal period in the development of modern
African popular music. If you want to learn the story of modern African popular
music, this is a great place to start. ( Reviewer from Washington DC
)
Soukous Trouble by Loketo (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
- Audio CD
Loketo remain for me
my most memorable Zairean band from the late 80's, about the time I was a
school leaver. However, the album they recorded with Aurlus Mabele "SOUKOUSS LA
TERREUR" is their finest work. ( a listener from Ireland )
Emotion (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Papa Wemba - Audio CD
If you
enjoy the music of other Afro-pop stars that have risen to popularity lately
(i.e., Baaba Maal, Youssou N'Dour), you'll enjoy Papa Wemba. This disc is a
popsy blend of African rhythms, guitars, and wailing vocals, and the charisma
and style of Papa Wemba is infectious and entertaining. ( Clayton W. Hibbert
from Seattle, WA )
Zing Zong
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Kanda Bongo Man - Audio
CD
Hear some on-line samples
Maria Tebbo
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Sam Mangwana - Audio CD
This
is one of those exceptional albums that stands the test of time. It is classic
soul music from an era when every musician put their heart into a track. And
who has a bigger heart than the master, Sam Mangwana. Each track sounds better
than the last, and when the album starts with the classic Maria Tebbo, that is
no mean feat. ( Reviewer: Matthew Watters from West Indies )
The Very Best of the Rumba Giant of Zaire by
Franco (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Franco - Audio CD
An
outstanding sampler of Franco's entire career, starting off with early 'Fifties
hits such as "On Entre O.K., On Sort K.O.", and cruising through to his late
'80s soukous material. It's all hella good. This collection also has very good
liner notes, informative about the artist as well as the songs. Recommended! (
A listener from Berkeley, CA United States )
Bameli Soy (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by M'Bilia Bel - Audio CD
This
disk is pure African soucous. The sweet voice of M'bilia Bel combined with the
guitar playing of Ringo is indeed a pleasure to the ears. These upbeat rhythms
take me back to some of my favorite memories of Africa. ( Jim Phillips from
Tampa, FL USA )
Tcha Tcho
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Koffi Olomide - Audio CD
This
singer over the years has brought new life and sizzle to Zairean music. The
singing and backups are remarkable. ( a listener from Montreal, Quebec
)
Still Alive [LIVE] (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Franco - Audio CD
I can only
say that this a true treasure. A mix of the old and the modern, the way this
music is supposed to be. ( a listener from Montreal, Quebec
)
Super Soukous (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Diblo Dibala/Loketo - Audio
CD
There aren't many guitarist that can match the skills and rapid-fire
style of Zairean Diblo Dibala, the mainstay behind the band Loketo, a word that
means "move you hips" in the Lingala language. And shake your hips you will as
soon as you put this CD on! ( a listener from Alexandria, Virginia, United
States )
Larger Than Life (amazon.com) - USA
by Pepe Kalle - Audio CD
Known
throughout Africa as L'Elephant de Zaire, the late Pepe Kalle (born Kabasele
Yampanya) was a giant among Congolese vocalists both in terms of voice and
girth. The state-of-the-art soukous of 1992's Larger Than Life has aged well.
Soukous in Central Park
[LIVE] (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Kanda Bongo Man - Audio CD
I
wished I'd been there that day. But I wasn't, and this CD is a testament to
Kanda Bongo Man's showmanship and virtuosity. Shall I also mention Fun?
Dancing? Exuberance? So there! ( a listener from Los Angeles, CA
)
Hello Hello (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Somo Somo Ngobila - Audio
CD
Listen to samples on-line
Mutuashi
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Tshala Muana - Audio CD
The
rare singer who--as in "Muyinga"--makes a political confab between a pair of
village elders sound like big fun, Tshala Muana is the Zairean queen of
mutuashi, a traditional dance rhythm from her native Kasai region.
Africa Worldwide: 35th Anniversary
Album (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Tabu Ley Rochereau - Audio
CD
The Congolese peoples (of the former Zaire) have for decades been
universally admired for their sweet voices, tantalizing dance moves, and
creative rhythmic music. Tabu Ley and group display all this in this astounding
collection primarily sung in the Lingala language. ( a listener from Los
Angeles, California )
Originalite
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
by Franco & L'o.K. Jazz - Audio
CD
Franco and the OK Jazz are an institution in Central African popular
dance music. I was amazed to find that this music is available on CD. These are
important recordings, documenting a seminal period in the development of modern
African popular music. If you want to learn the story of modern African popular
music, this is a great place to start. ( a listener from Washington DC
)
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