Dream Duet: Brian McKnight and John Legend

Hello everyone. It is love month. Love feeds our soul when we use it accurately. They are two men that will do for us. These men will do their best to deliver real love in their best ability. They are not perfect but they will work hard to deliver real love to everyone. 

I speaking about Brian McKnight and John Legend. These men are great musical talents. Not only they have great voices but they have happen to be great pianists. It is a great thing because piano can relax people. Both Brian and John know how to do that. They both know how to give relaxation when there is no hope. In fact our climate right now needs a song between thee two men. They have performed together before but it would be nice to have a record to offer hope. 

It is important during these hard times to find hope and remain positive when there is no really any reason why to be so. So we have music, we need music from people that inspires us and gives hope when there seems to be none. 

Brian McKnight and John Legend are capable of doing this because their purpose is not to give love songs for fantasy but also show real realities of life. Also these men have been able to perform with others to also offer hope and joy. Part of the reason why they are popular because they have done amazing collaborations. 

So for me, here is one song that would fit their great voices together. 

This song I believe fits because it shows the sad realities that we live in this world but also gives the inspiration to be better people. Also, Brian McKnight and John Legend have had some headaches of their own but it has not killed their careers. They are still loved and have a faithful bases of their own. 

I hope a producer or many producers can get these men to make great records together. 

Dream Duet: Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild

 

Hello everyone. Happy Valentine's Day. Sexy Love arrives. I want to give you some good imagination of dream duets. This is for the ladies of love making music. Who are the men for the ladies. 

They are Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild. These men are great love maker R&B singers. They have great emotions for love songs. They know how to sing in a way that ladies cannot control their emotions. It will give them great reactions and it may inspire them to go their fellas to make love or have a sexy dinner. I mean it creates a climate where the ladies have their emotions well set in their hearts. That is the result when Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild release their love songs. 

If these two men were do a duet or an album, it will make great services to the ladies who are hungry for more than one R&B singer singing very nice love songs but two together to create more buzz with stronger desire of romance. Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild are capable of getting their voices together to sing about love making and fantasy of romance. 

I got a song of Maxwell and a song of Musiq Soulchild 

PRETTY WINGS OF MAXWELL 

SIMPLE THINGS OF MUSIQ SOULCHILD 

These songs would be perfect for these men together because it shows the romantic voices of these men in the way that will please ladies. It gives a feeling of love and joy in their hearts. I think these songs of these two men will make more hope of love in good and bad times. 

I think it would be good if someone Babyface can get these two men to make great duet or duets for men to have thoughts of their honeys and the ladies have so much pleasure so they can have more fantasies of their lovers. 

Personal Experience to see music: Siama Matuzungidi (Love Story with Dallas Johnson)

This is a great love story. I got a personal story. Not from me but two musicians. 

I was supposed to this months ago but things happened. I am ready to start now. Actually in October of 2019, I went to a event in Saint Peters, Minnesota. I met one musician that comes from the Congo area that was part of the Congo Wave in East Africa. 

I am referring to Siama Matuzungidi . If you don't know him well (which I did not know at all), he used to play with the late Kasongo wa Kanema. Now, I have heard of him before in the past. He used to work with the likes of Tshala Muana, Samba Mapangala and Kanda Bongo Man. That is impressive. He has had a spectacular career. 

It was a kid event in a Library. It was actually a touching event because kids got to learn about Congolese music through a man with his wife Dallas Johnson who is a classical but relaxed singer. Siama really has a good voice. He sang perfectly alongside with his wife Dallas. Unfortunately most of the songs they performed I forgotten except two. But their musical performances were flawless and well done. 

In fact, what was really good was Dallas's ability to showcase Congo almost as if we were in Congo itself showing the how the streets would be and how we would be probably be if there. That storytelling of imagination was too perfect and it makes me jealous because I wish I could do that but then again, God gives us all gifts his own way. Dallas is a great storyteller. 

The songs that I do remember was where joy was filled with the kids. They were Malembe and Ko-Yimbi Ko. Both performances were excellent and really I cannot forget them. I myself wanted to jump and sing but of course, I did not want attention so I just watched and did imagine how I would move. Ko-Yimbi-Ko is a known animation that every generations of Congolese music has done from Franco to Werrason. Siama's twist into it was well and he sang Kikongo perfectly without any worry. I enjoyed those performances. I will give the links to the songs.

MALEMBE 

KOYIMBIKO 

Now we get into a interesting of love story. I was planning on leaving 30 minutes after the concert. I took a few photos of the concert. Check my Facebook for the photos. I was going to take a few photos and everyone else was talking to Siama and Dallas. Then you won't believe how we got into conversation. It was Dallas who noticed me and I was shocked. I took a photo and I decided to talk to them a bit and it went longer than I expected. I asked Dallas how Siama and her met, she said that it was Siama that wanted her as his soulmate. She said that they met in Japan in a group full of musicians from different countries and then when Dallas was helping Siama with health concerns, Siama made it clear to her that they were going to be a couple. 

Then Dallas mentioned a interesting part of Siama. Apparently the kikongo he speaks is different than Kikongo one of his family members speaks in Bas Congo which is why another member of Siama's family has to translate for him. It can be tough because sometimes dialects of one language can be a serious problem. 

Here is where I became shocked. How did they become noticed by music programs? It was actually Dallas herself who made the moves. At one point, Siama and Dallas were struggling financially that led to Siama playing in the streets. Another shocker is that he never mentioned to Dallas that he used to be in big bands in Kenya or he collaborated with the likes of Kanda Bongo Man, Samba Mapangala and Tshala Muana. But at the same time, it is good because it shows that Siama is not an arrogant but simple and humble. Dallas then got into contact with Alastair Johnson who is the host of Muzikifan. That led to her discovering so much that Siama had done. It made it easy for them to apply for Minnesota music program and it has blessed their life for a long time. These experiences also humbled Dallas herself and she eventually got very emotional and I had no words. Dallas loves to speak her mind and she can be very vulnerable. I do love that dearly. 

I got to talk to Siama himself. He told me that he really enjoyed playing with the late Kasongo wa Kanema and he went to say that they were true friends during their time together. Also, he was living a decent life in Kenya and he said that it was his way of learning Swahili. Afterwards, I went to ask him about a Pepe Kalle associate. Djodjo Ikomo. For those who don't know before Empire Bakuba, Djodjo Ikomo was a major player of Congolese music in the Kenya scene. Since Siama was also popular, I proceeded to ask him about Djodjo Ikomo. He said "Of course I knew Djodjo Ikomo. I used to see him around and we would talk to each other without issues". I jokingly said that Djodjo went to sing with Empire Bakuba and he said that he knew. He did say that he wished that he had been closer to Djodjo Ikomo. 

One thing that I will say is that Dallas and Siama know how to perform very well. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, it has been probably tough on them. But I am sure as soon as Covid-19 is over, they will have it less difficult. They know good music. I hope that I can see them again. I enjoyed their performance. 

For more information Siama Matuzungidi and his past, check this link from Muzikifan of Alastair Johnson. I love you and you will love it. 

MUZIKIFAN: SHIKA   

Prophétie song of Benz Petrole (ELBA TOP A)

I have been lately listening to the song Prophétie. It is song composed by Benz Pétrole. I want to mention this because I have been listening to the song. I love how this song goes because you have four great singers that I enjoy listening to. I am speaking of Elba Kuluma, Suzuki Luzubu 4x4, Desouza Santu and Nyboma Mwandido. 

But largely why I mentioned this song is because it is about prophesying. Now that is not something I do much because I am not sure how can life can be. 

Two years ago, I did a dream trio album which I did in French because I was aiming at these three singers. 
Trio de Rêve Album: Les Beaux Gars Volume 2: Ballou Canta, Elba Top A et Papy Tex  

It was a trio album where I was putting songs for dream trio. That would be Ballou Canta, Elba Top A and Papy Tex. The chance of them singing together let alone doing a album is 2 percent chance which I understand since they are at different stages of their careers. They also sung with Pepe Kalle at different stages in their careers. 

Now weeks ago, Elba Top A himself commented which surprised me considering that I posted this from more than a year ago. It looks like people and/or someone send him this article and he really liked it which does make me happy. 

Now the question is who will have the courage to get these three singers together. We will wait and see. 

Dream Quartet: Papa Wemba, Madilu, Lenga Lenga and Kester Emeneya

ZAIKO GENERATION: 
Imagine at the time when Zaiko Langa Langa that you would be building a dynasty of many groups and musicians that you see. Whether they are big stars or not, they made a huge mark on Congolese music. It is where you had the best nzonzing records and collaboration records. 

I selected four singers that would sing perfectly together. I don't know why no one was able to get these four men together during 1989 to 1991 period. Whom did I choose.

Papa Wemba Le Nkuru

Madilu System Le Grand Ninja

Lenga Lenga Ya Lengos

Kester Emeneya King Kester 

These four men would have been perfect for a nzonzing project. But why? I am speaking of 1989. First of all, most of them were in Europe during that time. Also, they did not seem so occupied and were enjoying life in Europe. Lenga Lenga was also free from Zaiko Langa Langa. He had his own version called Zaiko Familia Dei. Papa Wemba did a tour around America but he did not have a overwhelming demanding schedule. Kester Emeneya already was enjoying of his successes with songs like Nzinzi. He was in Paris. Madilu himself had left OKJ and was just having fun in Europe after his work with Josky as well as Zaiko animator Adoula with Carlyto and Malage. 

Musically, these men would be perfect together. I will give three reasons.

1) Three of them came from Tabu Ley singing school. Tabu Ley had a major influence on Madilu, Kester Emeneya and Papa Wemba. Lenga Lenga sounded very similar to Nyoka Longo. 

2) None of them sound similar. Their voices are so distinct from one another that you can always alternate vocals with absolute ease. 

3)Zaiko influence is all over of them even they make their own marks on their own songs. Whether Vocally or Musically. 

These men should have done an album together with 6 songs with 2 songs of Rumba (one from Papa Wemba and one from Madilu) and 4 songs of Soukous or Rumba/Sebene. These songs would have been successful because I know Clan Zaiko fans would have been dancing. You would have many journalists and fans alike making buzz about this great project. 

There is one song that would have been great for these four men. 

KIMPIATU by Kester Emeneya and his band Victoria Elesien 

Several Versions 

Original Version

Second Version 

Live Versions 

This song would have been the best record for the four men to remix because the harmonies between Lenga Lenga, Madilu and Papa Wemba would have had a great harmony with Papa Wemba singing high while Madilu singing in the middle and Lenga Lenga singing low. Kester Emeneya would have done well with his solo vocals. Before the beautiful harmonies of the trio in the song, Kester and Papa Wemba do their harmony at the beginning of the song. 

Dream Quartet: Abby Surya, Barbara Kanam, Faya Tess, Mbilia Bel

 

 

One Congolese post of the great female Congolese singers. I am very honored to do this. I got four great Congolese female singers that are alive for everyone's joy. 

I am speaking of Abby Surya, Barbara Kanam, Faya Tess and Mbilia Bel. These women are great singers in their own right. Abby, Faya and Mbilia have sung together in the past but they have yet to sing with Barbara Kanam. 

For those who may not know about Barbara Kanam, she has a family connection to Maika Munan. It is said that they are cousins. Maika Munan is one of the best guitarists to ever to live in DRC. He used to collaborate with the likes of Faya Tess and Abby Suriya. 

Speaking of Maika Munan, he should be the producer and front man of this great project if these four women ever sing together on stage or record. He can play his acoustic or electric guitar while these four women give beautiful melodies as well as solo vocals that they are able to give. 

Faya Tess is a more relaxed singer with a nice vibrato on it. Mbilia Bel is very soft but is able to give her own twist with her soft voice. Abby Suriya has a strong feminine voice with a delicious vibrato. Barbara Kanam has a masculine twist in her voice but yet it is soft at the same time with a sexy vibrato that I always want to hear in my ears. If I could a duo response like Franco did back in the late 1960s occasionally, I would pair Abby and Faya to respond to Barbara and Mbilia. That would be one good way of doing a quartet. Duo and duo part in one song if there is another option of harmony. 

There are many songs that would fit their voices but there is one song that fit these four women. 

LOVANGO by Mbilia Bel 

Lovango would allow Mbilia Bel sing lead as well as Abby Suriya with choirs of Barbara Kanam, Faya Tess and Mbilia Bel. It would make the song much better with Maika Munan playing solo and rhythm guitar. 

I hope these ladies will do a show or a collaboration record for the fans who love female Congolese singers.