Early Congo Rumba

Featuring Pépé Kallé . Mbilia Bel . Faux Pas . TP OK Jazz . Franco Luambo Makiadi . Mario . Rumba Congolaise . Mobutu . Tabu Ley Rochereau . l’Age de l’Amour . Franco .Princesse Kikou . Grand Kalle . Laura Fantome . Madilu System . Bonne Humeur Rumba . Kekele . Mandze Mandze

Hagasny : In the fifties, thanks to its pioneers Wendo Kolosoy and Antoine Moundanda, the rumba blossomed in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, the respective capital cities of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo, separated by the river of the same name. Kolosoy and Moundanda were the voice of the pre-independence and independence years.Read more: http://www.hagasny.com/forums/f40/the-very-best-of-congolese-rumba-the-kinshasa-2704/#ixzz0QWHFdyRC

Label Bleu : As early as 1955 an international career opened up for Antoine Moundanda. He travelled to the four corners of the Earth, with his Sanza in his hand, now solo then with other artists. A perfectionist, resolutely modern, he has given a new dimension to this traditional instrument by taking it from 9 to 22 blades.

Boot Sale Sounds : “Les Bantous de la Capitale is one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in the musical history of the Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). Formed in 1959, the band played a major role in the introduction and growing popularity of boucher, which vitalized the Cuban-influenced rumba, and soukous.

Pitchfork : This is the story of François Luambo Makiadi, who was born to a Congolese breadbaker in 1938, built a guitar when he was seven, released his first single at 15 (after peers nicknamed him Franco), became one of the most popular bandleaders in his country’s history (before Mobutu Sese Seko’s dictatorship nicknamed him le Grand Maître), fathered 18 kids, and burned a mark so indelible that state-run radio played his records for four days straight after he died in 1989.

Afropop Worldwide : However, most of Madilu’s fans will remember his 37 years in music business but the most memorable moments are his duets with the great Franco, which were featured in many of TP OK Jazz hit songs.

Wikipedia : M’bilia Bel became the first female musician from Africa who could claim popularity all over the entire continent and beyond. In fact one could argue that there has not been any female musician from Africa who has captured the imagination of music fans across the continent as much as Mbilia Bel did in the eighties.

Africa Music Centre : In 1988 Mbilia Bel and Tabu Ley parted ways. Both have been cagey about the circumstances that led to their divorce but rumour has it that Mbilia Bel was not amused at Tabu Ley’s introduction of another female vocalist known as Faya Tess.

Club Music DJ’s : Hailed throughout Africa as “le Dieu de la Guitare,” Nicolas Kasanda a.k.a. Nico Zaido ….quit teaching and broke away from African Jazz to form African Fiesta in 1963 with Tabu Ley Rochereau, brother Dchaud, Kwamy, Mujos, Depuissant on conga and bassist Joseph Mwena.

AllAfrica :