Franco- FABRICE (1983)

 

Hello everyone. I want to do a post on this classic work. 

It is Chez Fabrice a Bruxxelles. It is a great work from Franco and Le TPOK Jazz. It was released in 1983. This album is a important for three reasons.

1) Some notable OKJ singers left. I mean Ndombe Opetum, Djo Mpoyi, Diatho Lukoki and Wuta Mayi. Wuta Mayi would go to form a band with Nyboma called 4 Etoiles. Djo Mpoyi would go to do some solo adventure and do some songs with Diatho of a side band Tiers Monde. Ndombe would form Tiers Cooperation with Sam Mangwana before Diatho and Djo would join Ndombe on that band after Sam went for another adventure. 

2) Franco rediscovered a passion in making duets with the song Non. 

3) It was beginning of the star of Madilu System.

This album was where Madilu System would finally breakthrough after years of having no luck with end of Bakuba Mayopi. But on this song, Madilu restarted his stardom and fans of OKJ began to notice him. They enjoyed his voice a lot. When you listen to Non, you notice it sounds a little different from his usual style. Well it was designed that way. If Franco had it his way, no way Madilu would have sung this song. In fact he made this song for another individual. Who was it? Josky Kiambukuta. Wait? JOSKY, Really? Yes. Well according to Madilu anyway. He claimed that he wanted this song to be for Josky. Very interesting but then again Josky was nicknamed Djosex for love songs. After all, Josky was Franco's favorite singer for a long time. He often selected Josky to sing in his songs. I mean Josky even co-sang lead Franco's TOKOMA BACAMARADE. So I can see why Franco wanted Josky. But Josky surprisingly refused. Also, he did not look for Ntesa Dalienst which is shocking considering that Ntesa and Franco had a great complimentary sound together. Franco was apparently mad because he could not get a singer. Funny enough, Madilu said Franco even wanted Nyboma and Wuta Mayi who then formed 4 Etoiles as I mentioned before with Syran Mbenza and Bopol. Then, Madilu said that he sung a little vocal but Franco wanted Tabu Ley but thanks to Franco's wife, the song officially went to Madilu as Franco's duet partner. You know the rest is history for the beginning of Madilu's reign on OKJ after 1983.

Also comes the good harmony of Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu System and Ntesa Dalienst. It would be showed on the songs Freins a main (handbrake) and Second Version of Fabrice which is known as 5 Ans Ya Fabrice (5 years of Fabric). These songs also showed Franco's ability to give storytelling while singing at the same time. I saw the great emotion and passion of Josky, Madilu and Ntesa in the choirs. This showed how good Franco was at assembling great singers together. He did once with Josky, Ndombe and Ntesa or Josky, Pepe Ndombe and Youlou Mabiala or Diatho Lukoki, Josky and Ntesa. This one was no exception. Franco was a great musical genius not only on guitar but also getting great singers in order to great harmony for all OKJ fans to enjoy.  

Another part of Madilu's rise into OKJ had a part of another individual who people often compare Madilu to. Well vocally speaking anyway. Also this man really was loved by Franco. I am speaking about Pepe Kalle. Pepe Kalle was a big star in Congo at the time and he was impressing big stars. While Franco pretended to be scared of Zaiko Langa Langa, in reality he feared Pepe Kalle much more that he attempted to actually get him into OKJ. But the problem was that Pepe Kalle wanted to be his own man and respectfully declined to join OK Jazz. Franco was very angry about this that he was determined to find a "Pepe Kalle" prototype. He would get his wish after finding Madilu and getting success with him on the song Non. Madilu's star rose as Pepe Kalle started to make noise around the periods of 1985 to 1988. Franco and Pepe Kalle found that they had a lot of things in common. Papy Tex had remarked that Franco and Pepe Kalle would do some games together while Papy Tex would not want to participate. Also Franco preferred Empire Bakuba over Zaiko Langa Langa behind the scenes. THAT IS THE TRUTH. According to Papy Tex, Franco was a important partner to Empire Bakuba and he did a lot for them to get more access. 

That leads to my series that I am going to do? Should Pepe Kalle have joined OK Jazz? That is a tough question. Yes and No. It is really 50 and 50. I did often say that Dr. Nico should have joined Franco (and I insist on it today) because Franco could handle anyone. I am sure Franco could have managed Pepe Kalle very well. 

I will give two sides of the coin. Seven reasons why Pepe Kalle should not have joined OK Jazz and Seven reasons why Pepe Kalle should have joined OK Jazz. 

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 Trio: Kester Emeneya, Madilu and Papy Tex

Hello everyone. I got a Papy Tex special for everyone's heart. I will do a dream trio. I have found two singers that should have sung with Papy Tex on a nzonzing record if you were asking me. 

They are late second voice singers King Kester Emeneya and Grand Ninja Madilu System. These men would have been perfect candidates for a Papy Tex nzonzing record. Think of how much control that Papy would have with these two men at his side. Since he is tenor, he would able to get these men straight to his ears on how he wants them to sing. Kester and Madilu were second voice singers. I am sure that they would have worked hard to please Papy Tex. 

Papy Tex is actually a good composer as a singer. He knows how to make good melody as a composer. Kester and Madilu would have enjoyed Papy's ability of making great melody with his artistic skills.

Kester Emeneya apparently took some influence from Papy Tex and he used some of his emotional gimmicks for his singing.  

Madilu definitively fitted well with Papy's voice much more than anyone else including Pepe Kalle though Papy and Pepe were a great duo. Hear the song Plus Jamais, you will get my point from there. Madilu and Papy Tex were a better musical match than Madilu was with Nyboma. 

One song that would have been perfect for them would have been Phono where Kester would give a more different take on his anger towards Jimmy Mukelenge who was the main subject of the original song Phono. Kester would do the co-vocals while Madilu and Papy Tex would harmonize perfectly. 

Do you think Kester-Madilu-Papy Tex would have been a perfect trio or not? I say yes. 

The real reason why Madilu and Youlou duet should have occurred?

I did a post some months ago about my dream duet of Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala. I have said that it would have been one of the best moments in Congolese Music. Both from the Kinshasa side and the Brazzaville side. 

But I will give the real reason that I wanted these men together. 

Because they were considered by many OK Jazz fans as "Franco's spiritual sons". 

This is the reason why they should have been together. Because they had a special connection to Franco and Franco loved their voices so much. Also, they knew how to leave their own mark in the Franco songs. Think of Naboyi kobima or La Vie Des Hommes. 

Finally, they helped bring Franco a new identity within himself. With Youlou, Franco was able to bring his stronger baritone into form that he did not do much earlier in his life. With Madilu, Franco got into his storytelling mode in a much deeper way than he had done in the past. 

Imagine if Madilu and Youlou had sung together with those strengths, it would have been a beautiful moment in Congolese music. You would have a combination of Youlou's strong husky tenor with Madilu's raspy baritone. That is what would have been the scenario. 

Think of songs like

Kamikaze

Pesa Position na Yo

Two great OKJ songs. Those songs would have been greater with these two men singing together. Harmony would have been perfect. 

Franco's spiritual sons are Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala. 

What Madilu should have done after the death of Franco: Form a band with Aime Kiwakana

Hello everyone, after the Franco, Josky, Madilu and Simaro. I told one thing that Madilu should have done after the death of Franco.

Form a band with his old friend Aime Kiwakana. I have a name for the band already. The band is called "Tout Puissant Royaume" something related to Madilu's band "Tout Puissant Systeme". 

This is how should have went if the group went the way I wanted. 

Groupe (O Grupo, El Grupo, Le Groupe, Lingomba, Kikundi)
Tout Puissant Royaume 

Leaders (Les Leaders, Os liders, Viongo, Bakonzi, Los Liders) 
Aime Kiwakana (singer)
Madilu Systeme (singer) 

Guitarists (les guitarists, mibeti likombe, los ou os guitarristas, wachezaji gitaa) 
Burkina Faso Mboya Liya (solo guitar)
Thierry Mantuika (misolo guitar)
Mpudi Decca (bass guitar) 
Lokassa ya Mbongo (rhythm guitar) 

Singers (Chanteurs, Waimbaji, Cantantes, Cantadores, Bayembi) 
Mayaula Mayoni (Rythme or Misolo Guitar) 
Serge Kiambukuta
Lomingo Alida 
Malage de Lugendo
Bola Bolithe
Elba Top A
Luciana 
Pompon Kuleta 


Just with these men, it would have been a nice going band at first before they would eventually split up since you have big personalities together here but it would have been a fresh start for Madilu System and Aime Kiwakana. 

Aime Kiwakana and Madilu System are great singers and they should have had a fresh start and let OKJ go and create a band of their own. That way you could have seen the great personalities of these two great stars. 

Also Aime Kiwakana and Madilu System could have made some beautiful duets together. Because they had a special connection that no one else could get. Listen to this song by Mayaula Mayoni which had Aime and Madilu

Speaking of Mayaula Mayoni, he would have been a honorable membe of the band as he could do some backing up vocals for Madilu and Aime at times with either a Luciana or a Pompon depending on a song. 

Also you could have created more inner circles with this band. Think about the scenario with two Madilus with Malage and Lominga or a Serge Kiambukuta. I mean Bola Bolithe and Elba Top A. They were both good with Serge's voice who sounds like Youlou if Youlou had a lower range. 

In fact with this band, this is how the band would arrange on the songs (some examples) 
1) Elba Top A, Serge Kiambukuta and Luciana Demingongo 
2) Bola Bolithe, Elba Top A, Aime Kiwakana and Pompom Kuleta 
3) Aime Kiwakana and Madilu System
4) Elba Top A and Madilu System
5) Aime Kiwakana, Elba Top A and Madilu System
6) Madilu System, Serge Kiambukuta and Luciana Demingongo
7) Aime Kiwakana, Madilu System and Mayaula Mayoni
8) Bola Bolithe and Luciana 
9) Elba Top A and Malage
10) Aime Kiwakana, Lominga Alida, Madilu System, Malage de Lugendo
11) Aime Kiwakana, Madilu System, Malage de Lugendo and Mayaula Mayoni
12) Aime Kiwakana, Bola Bolithe, Madilu System and Serge Kiambukuta 
13) Aime Kiwakana, Bola Bolithe, Elba Top A and Luciana Demingongo 
14) Elba Top A, Luciana Demingongo, Madilu System and Serge Kiambukuta 
15) Aime Kiwakana, Lominga Alida, Luciana Demingongo, Pompom Kuleta 
16) Lominga Alida, Luciana Demingongo, Madilu System, Pompom Kuleta 
17) Aime Kiwakana, Bola Bolithe, Lominga Alida, Madilu System
18) Aime Kiwakana, Elba Top A, Madilu System, Malage de Lugendo 
19) Serge Kiambukuta, Lomingo Alida , Malage de Lugendo
and Bola Bolithe
20) Mayaula Mayoni, Elba Top A, Luciana Demingongo and Pompon Kuleta 

These would be good rotations for some songs that are seen in Rumba and Soukous with songs like Kojac, Mario, Pesa Position na Yo, Ngui-Ngon, Cooperation, Assimata, Tubela, and other great songs. 

You would have a combination of Le TPOK Jazz, Afrisa International, Viva La Musica, Wenge Musica, and Kamikaze Loningisa together for some beautiful moments. Furthemore, you could have some diversity of music and you would be able to see different prespectives coming here. 

If this was the case, you could have had a new moment in Congolese music. You would have more fun between Aime Kiwakana and Madilu System. 

Cons of Madilu and Nyboma partnership

Here are the cons 

1) Nyboma may have been used too much
Nyboma may have been on too many Madilu songs. It looks to me at times, it looked like Nyboma may have been exhausted on being on so many Madilu's songs. Just listen to Bonne Humeur, you can see a little bit that Nyboma may have been exhausted. This was sort of confirmed on a Nyboma interview, where it sounded to me like he was kind of tired always having to help Madilu out on promotion of this album when he spoke about this project. 

Even better, listen to Pouvoir, Nyboma actually sang less than he did on L'Eau or even Album 95. 

2) One Sided Affair
This leads to me being this part. Madilu always wanted Nyboma in his works but it did not seem mutual. On Nyboma's work, he hardly invited Madilu on those works (only 2006 album of Kekele would Madilu appear on a Nyboma work). Good example would be on Nyboma's very successful album Anicet which was done in 1994 which was the same time that Madilu did Sans Commentaire. It was clear to me, Nyboma was not a big fan of Madilu as Madilu was of his. 

3) Missed potential guests 
With Nyboma and Madilu going well, Madilu forgot that there could have been guests that could have completed Madilu's great solo work. The only time that was not the case was on Album 95 or Pouvoir. Album 95, he worked with Dindo Yogo and they had a harmonious sound on Pardon. On pouvoir, he had a great singing moment with Desouza Santu who sang with Pepe Kalle. But other than that, other albums did not quite have someone great that could have matched Madilu's crazy voice. But there were moments where some songs should have had Nyboma's voice but did not espcially on choirs. 

4) Lack of duets
Madilu and Nyboma did not do enough duets. That makes me mad since they were a nice duo. They actually had a great sound together and there are moments where it should have been them and no anyone else. I'll give an example. Aminata and Mon Case of Bonne Humeur (Dernier Volonte). Those songs could have made a great duet but instead they have choirs of others which stinks because you could have a harmonious moment between these two men. Final one could have been Wawali Mobunda. That song should have been a duet between these two. Even on their signature album Voisin, they did not do duets. It is so absurd. They probably never realize how perfect that they could have been together as a duo. But then again, they also could added a third person 

5) Missed a third man alongside them
Nyboma and Madilu missed a chance to find a third man that could have been perfect with them together. I mean they failed to find that place. It could have been (and should have been) Wuta Mayi. But unfortunately Wuta Mayi was used with Nyboma with someone else. Or it could have been Dindo Yogo. I mean Dindo Yogo loves singing the countertenor role while Nyboma could have done the the tenor with Madilu's unpredictable baritone. Or it could have been Luciana himself. 

Or even more shocking it could have been with Pepe Kalle. I mean Madilu often said that he was his "friend". So if Pepe Kalle was such a great friend, Nyboma and Madilu should have gotten him to make a trioship for a project where they could have sang together during Madilu's earlier days as a solo singer. 

Benefits of Madilu and Nyboma partnership

I got you guys for the benefits from a partnership of Madilu and Nyboma. 

1) It created a new duoship of two legends
Madilu and Nyboma made something new of making a duoship worth hearing and they made a distinctive sound. 

2) Madilu saw a good person to work with
Madilu saw that Nyboma was always willing to help him. Nyboma was the one who arranged a lot of Madilu's incredible songs that you heard through most of Madilu's classic works. Nyboma always made Madilu's music better. 

3) Appreciation
Nyboma and Madilu appreciated each other since they sang together so often. Also there was a sense of respect for one another since they had a great musical connection. Furthermore, there was a sense of good compliments like Madilu often said "Coko Nyboma" and Nyboma would respond with more joy. '

4) SUCCESS
This formula played a huge role in Madilu's great success. Part of the reason of his great successful solo career, was due to the participation of Nyboma himself in many of those songs. This formula helped people discover Madilu. It helped people to appreciate and love the voice of Madilu with great support of people with Nyboma like Luciana or Wuta Mayi as examples. 

5) Consistency 
It helped people know that Madilu had a certain vocal arrangement. You knew that it had a certain way of going on many Madilu songs. Typically you would have Wuta Mayi and Nyboma with another person with someone like Ballou Canta or Malage de Lugendo or Luciana. But that sort of changed a bit on Bonne Humeur but it was consistent on most Madilu's work. Also furthermore, you could also count on Nyboma being on most of Madilu's solo work. Nyboma was consistent on his role with Madilu as a backup man and arranger of Madilu's great work. 

What would be like if Madilu, Bola Bolithe and Lassa L'Acolyte sang together in Tout Puissant System

Now I wonder with this question. Because Madilu created his band Tout Puissant System or some call Royaume Systeme.

But someone told me that there were two that never quite made the list. They were Bola Bolithe and Lassa L'Acolyte. As some know, Bola was a Youlou singer for years before he disappeared for some time. He came back in 1996 as a Youlou associate before he disappeared again before appearing on Youlou's last work Qui Cherche. Lassa L'Acolyte is the brother of now Christian Artist Carlyto Lassa. He played for Choc Stars before he was a member of Zaiko Langa Langa before he went solo in 2005. 

But the question I wonder how would have been like if Madilu had sung with Bola Bolithe and Lassa L'Acolyte?

Based on some of the songs that Madilu did on Pouvoir, I believe that they would have sounded perfect together. Remember Madilu and Bola sang together on Bilonda of Simaro during the final days of OK Jazz. They sounded great together. Furthermore, Madilu sang with Carlyto and they had a special musical connection. 

Bola Bolithe, Lassa and Madilu cold have been the new "Empire Bakuba" because Bola and Madilu are the ones who sounded alike with a voice of Lassa himself. They would have had a great chemistry as a trio. Furthermore, Madilu would have founded a alternative from his partnership with Nyboma. 

I believe that this would have been a great trio together. They would bring the best together. 

Lassa L'Acolyte and Madilu did perform together in 2003 when he invited Zaiko to perform with him. 

Here is Madilu and Bola Bolithe singing together in Bilonda. 
I will post my own about this great song

That is my take on this scenario. 

Partnership of Madilu and Nyboma

As many of you guys know, one person that sung the most with Madilu during his solo career was Nyboma. Nyboma appeared the most on Madilu's songs during his whole solo career. From Sans Commentaire to Dernier Volonte. 

Madilu and Nyboma have been friends for many years and they apparently hung out for years. But they did not anything musically together until 1989. 

That year was perfect timing for them to work together. Franco was too ill. Also OK Jazz was going downhill. Also Madilu's friend Malage de Lugendo decided to join Zaiko Langa Langa in May of that year. Dizzy Mandjeku became more focused on settling in Belgium. Mpudi Decca and Simaro Lutumba as well as Papa Noel decided to work with Pepe Kalle and Carlyto as well as Malage to do some music together. Franco was hanging out with Sam Mangwana. 

This was the perfect chance for Madilu to team up with his old friend Nyboma to make the work called Voisin. 
STOP FEU ROUGE

Once they made this album, people went crazy and people wanted more of this. But Madilu would return to OK Jazz and it looks to me that he was planning to sing more with Josky Kiambukuta and Ndombe Opetum. But when Madilu went solo, he used Nyboma's voice a lot. Nyboma would the guest on almost every solo album of Madilu. 

Now I do like their relation musically. They had chemistry and they would have amazing moments together. It is not the best but it is one of the good moments together. 

Madilu and Nyboma were monument together. Nyboma found himself well grounded with Madilu. I am glad that Madilu made Nyboma a important factor alongside him and he made Madilu's music be amazing. 

Dream Quartet: Bola Bolithe, Elba Kuluma, Madilu System, and Youlou Mabiala

Hello everyone, I am going to a follow up of a dream duo of Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala. First round of this is a dream quartet. Here was my post about Madilu and Youlou
Madilu and Youlou

In this quartet scenario, I add two more Madilus alongside Madilu himself and Youlou Mabiala. I am speaking of Bola Bolithe and Elba Topa who was originally called Elba Kuluma. 

Here is why I would love this scenario to happen. Because these Elba and Bola was Youlou's favorite partners and they also went on to sing with Madilu System himself. Funny enough Madilu and Elba sounded well together. Madilu has raspy sound with his husky baritone while Bola has a strong vibrato with his husky baritone. Elba's voice is deep sort like Pepe Kalle. Bola Bolithe is more jollier with his voice. 

I have actually have a set of songs that I believe that would have fitted the voices of Bola, Elba, Madilu and Youlou together 

1) Ba Signe Indien (Bola Bolithe)
2) Kamikaze (Youlou Mabiala) 
3) Diarrhee Verbale (Simaro Lutumba)
4) Tres Impoli (Franco) 
5) Pesa Position na Yo (Madilu)
6) Beranga Ondongo (Elba)
7) UCB (Youlou Mabiala)
8) Karibundi (Youlou Mabiala)
9) Adonis (Youlou Mabiala) 
10) Motema Libanga (Simaro Lutumba) 
11) Ofela (Simaro Lutumba) 
12) Ekaba Kaba (Franco) 
13) Agetravel Mobikisi (Franco) 
14) Toto (Josky Kiambukuta) 
15) Santa (Youlou Mabiala) 
16) Tala Merci Mbwa (Simaro Lutumba) 
17) Vickyna (Youlou Mabiala) 
18) Divorce (Youlou Mabiala)
19) Point Final (Youlou Mabiala) 
20) Mort Vivant Somida (Madilu) 

This is to show you what could have been a great quartet with these men. I am showing you exactly what could have been a great moment in Congolese music. 

Regardless I am so happy that Youlou brought us Bola Bolithe and Elba Kuluma and they went to sing together as well as singing with Madilu System. 

Dream Quartet: Loko Massengo, Madilu, Theo Blaise, Youlou Mabiala

Photo from Jerome Ogola 

I never thought of these men until recently. I want to do it and I will do it now. I will put these men in a dream quartet scenario now. 

I am speaking about Loko Massengo, Madilu System, Theo Blaise, and Youlou Mabiala. 

These men would be the perfect quartet for many reasons but I will cut it down to two main reasons 

1) They are from the era of good OK Jazz, Afrisa, Veve and Bantous de la capitale 

2) Their voices would actually meld well together. 

I mean imagine the beautiful sounds of these four men. Just imagine Theo Blaise's high tenor with Youlou being the countertenor as well as the deep baritone of Loko Massgeno and husky baritone of Madilu System together. 

It could have been similar to one time where OK Jazz had a great quartet of Aime Kiwakana, Josky Kiambukuta, Lokombe Ntal and Madilu System together. It would have been great in the same way with this dream quartet of Loko Massengo, Madilu System, Theo Blaise Kounkou and Youlou Mabiala. 

Songs that would have fitted would have included Monzo, Alita, Kamikaze, Mario Tebbo, Djaffar, Pesa Position and others. 

I believe that these men would have been a powerful house if they had done a song together or better made an album together. It would have been a blast. 

Dream Trio: Madilu, Pepe Kalle, Tabu Ley

We have a trio that may not have strong popularity but I do believe this trio would have been a blast for certain fans of these men together. 

I am speaking of Madilu, Pepe Kalle and Tabu Ley. 

I think this would have been another version of Empire Bakuba though it is a little different in this sense. It is where you have two Rochereau logos alongside Rochereau himself. 

Madilu and Pepe Kalle are products of Tabu Ley. I would call them the Rochereau logos because they come from the Afrisa school and their voices were clearly inspired by Tabu Ley. Madilu tended to be very husky with his voice while Pepe Kalle was very smooth with his baritone voice. Tabu Ley however was more tenor base than he was baritone. 

These voices would meld well together because Tabu Ley can use those high notes while Madilu could be counter-tenor while Pepe Kalle's incredible baritone. It would make a great melodious sound and I am sure fans would be so happy. 

I got three songs from them that would make sound great together

Madilu's Maria

Pepe Kalle's Ndako ya Zeke 

Tabu Ley's 1977 classic Ponce Pilate

Those songs I know would bring a melodious sound of Madilu, Pepe Kalle and Tabu Ley. These men would excel their voices together in those given songs if it had happened. 

Madilu, Pepe Kalle and Tabu Ley would have been a great trio in my opinion if it had been reality in some way. 

Dream Quartet: Dindo Yogo, Likinga Redo, Madilu, Youlou Mabiala

This is a combination of OK Jazz and Zaiko Langa Langa together in a juicy melody that would have gave a great gap between the OK Jazz fans and Zaiko fans. Fortunately I got two singers of the Zaiko age and two singers of the OK Jazz age. 

Zaiko age are Dindo Yogo and Likinga Redo and the OK Jazz are Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala. 

These men would have been perfect together as a quartet. Their voices are different and they would turn into a great melody as a quartet. 

Here are the notes
Likinga Redo= High Tenor
Youlou Mabiala= Low Tenor
Dindo Yogo= Countertenor 
Madilu System= Baritone 

These men would be able to splash their beautiful voices. Since each voice is distinct, you would able to hear who is who and you will see the passion that would have been if these men had done a song or songs together. 

Finally, fans would be happy because these songs would have been done with substance and a reason why to love these men as a quartet. 

In fact I got two songs that would have fitted these men together. Just happen to come from Madilu System. 

Maria 1995

Pesa Position 1984

These two songs would have fitted these four men together. More magic and more force with their voices. Since they don't sound anything similar, you would have had a strong melody together. More people would have loved this quartet more any-other one. 

Imagine Madilu and Tabu Ley?

Hello people. I am going to do a post about something that I should have done years ago. It is about Madilu and Tabu Ley. 

Until Madilu passed away, very few actually knew that Madilu was in Afrisa International of Tabu Ley. Many of us did not know until he passed away in 2007. 

Turns out that Madilu indeed had played for Tabu Ley. But however he never did a song with Tabu Ley but he sang with future OKJ associate Kiesse Diambu. Kiesse Diambu and Madilu did have amazing moments together in OKJ and also apparently in Afrisa International. 

I did not care much about a imagination of Madilu and Tabu Ley duoship until I saw this video. 

I saw the performance of Sorozo with Dodo Munoko, Carlyto Lassa, Madilu and Tabu Ley with a female singer. I was so shocked how well Tabu Ley and Madilu sounded together not only by vocals but chemistry was so strong. I could not believe that. 

It made me wonder what if Madilu and Tabu Ley had done songs together? I don't know but I wonder every day. 

When I listen to Tabu Ley's late 1970s records such as Sorozo itself, I believe the song would have better done with the services of Madilu himself. I think Madilu would have added more fire to song than even Mimi Ley did. I like Mimi Ley but based on Madilu's 1970s songs, I think Madilu would have been improved the song a bit more with Kiesse Diambu and Tabu Ley. 

But also with some Madilu songs, I could have seen better sounding with Tabu Ley. In fact I have three songs that would have been better done with Tabu Ley. Madilu's 1993 song Nzele, Madilu's 1998 song Consolation and 2007's classic Tonton Gigolo. Tonton Gigolo would have fitted the choir sound of Madilu and Tabu Ley perfectly. Tabu Ley's voice was still strong about 2005-07 period. But Nzele would have been the song for a duet between Madilu and Tabu Ley. I know their chemistry would have been on top. I would have seen great moments between these men together in that song in particular. 

I will let you guys decide if you think Madilu and Tabu Ley duo would have been a good thing? 

Dream Trio: Josky Kiambukuta, Koffi Olomide, Madilu

Hello everyone. I got a trio that should have been here for us to enjoy. It is a good trio in my view if you ask me. 

This is the edition of Josky Kiambukuta "Djo Sex", Koffi Olomide "Mopao Mokonzi" and Madilu System "Le Grand Ninja". 

I don't get it at all. These three singers never did a song or an album especially during the early 1990s. I mean this would have been the time since Koffi was still a upcoming and Josky and Madilu were big stars at this time. 

I believe that Koffi, Josky and Madilu would have had amazing time singing together and it would reaffirm with Koffi's raspy voice with Josky's always good excellent with Madilu's good sounding baritone. 

Don't believe me. Watch this video to see my argument 

Hmm, you see now. It is so good that it makes me mad that it was short. 

What was Koffi thinking not get Josky and Madilu into some of his songs during this period. I mean if Koffi had done a few songs with Josky and Madilu alongside him, boy we could have had some amazing moments in Congolese Music history. 

Finally, I bet right now Koffi is probably regretting this because finally he got to sing with people he should done songs with long time ago. Case in point Evoloko Jocker. I have said that Evoloko would be a great duet partner for Koffi. Fortunately Evoloko is still around and Koffi finally decided to do a song with him that should be during the early 1990s as well as doing a song or album with Josky and Madilu. 

Regardless, I am so happy that this video exists because it shows what could have been a great trio in my opinion that never got into an actual song let alone a LP or album for that matter. 

Dream Duet: Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala

Madilu System and Youlou Mabiala are my favorite singers in OKJ. Le TPOK Jazz under Franco. 

Now what I am stunned is that Madilu and Youlou never made a single song together. I am so shocked. Because these two singers could have a force together. If Youlou could sound so good with Sam Mangwana of all people, then it would have been even more exciting with Madilu. I mean some people never believed that Sam Mangwana sounded good with Youlou Mabiala. I disagree with them. Listen Okozela trop. You will see the magic of Sam Mangwana and Youlou Mabiala. 

Also Youlou Mabiala had amazing chemistry with Vicky Longomba. People say that Youlou and Vicky sounded similar which in some ways it is true but the difference was that Vicky's voice was much more mellow through than Youlou's voice. 

Just look at this song of Youlou and Vicky singing in a harmony that you can not understand. 

Here is more songs of Vicky during his tenure of Lovy du Zaire which he creates great melody with Youlou in some of them. 

Now remember I just showed two singers that some say that Youlou would never be good with ever in his musical life. Yes Sam Mangwana and Vicky Longomba. If he can sound so good with them, then imagine if Youlou had sang with Madilu. 

Actually for a long time, I had a weird fantasy of voices of Madilu and Youlou.  Recently I was saying that Madilu should have sung with Youlou Mabiala because their voices would have molded together. 

I will explain to you. Madilu would have been Youlou's ideal partner. Because Madilu's voice was husky and it had some specialty that I know that Youlou Mabiala would have love a lot. Youlou would have fitted fit well with Madilu as well. Madilu always had someone who had a more soulful and mellow voices. Think of Malage de Lugendo, Nyboma and Carlyto Lassa. Youlou would have been better with Madilu than another person. I know in my view that Madilu had fire with Carlyto and they were able to move together but it would be much bigger if he sang with Youlou and that is how I see it. 

Furthermore another reason is Youlou Mabiala himself and how he sang with some singers. During his heyday during the 1980s, he created Kamikaze Loningisa. In 1990s, he would do his own OK Jazz. Now these periods, one singer stood out. In fact four singers would catch my eyes. They are Bola Bolithe, Elba Kuluma, Pepito and Tapis Malonga. One person told me that those guys sound heavily similar to Madilu and he is right. The one that sounds the most like Madilu is Bola Bolithe. Bola Bolithe really impressed me with his voice and at times, I thought that was Madilu. I was just stunned. Elba Kuluma was much more aggressive with his voice and he had much more force under his voice that it reminded me of Madilu so deeply. With Tapis Malonga, he is much jolly with his voice and much flowful as a singer and it too reminds me of Madilu so deeply. Bola Bolithe is most like Madilu. 

Based on this, it is very clear that Youlou loved Madilu's voice so deeply. I always wondered and still wonder why no one ever thought of getting these two great singers to sing together. I mean if there is anyone who should have got going with Madilu, it was Youlou Mabiala. Youlou would have had his greatest moments with him. 

What's ironic about this is that Madilu went on to sing with two of the sing-alike singers. Who are they? Bola Bolithe and Elba Kuluma. I wish I was joking but I am not. He would work with them. 

In fact, Madilu was the biggest fan of Elba Kuluma out of all them. According to some folks, apparently Madilu really loved listening to the voice of Elba. In fact it was said that Madilu once joked to Elba that "one day, you will be in OKJ and you will sound like me. I cannot wait for it." Elba apparently told this to someone which signified the friendship between and how much Madilu really believed that Elba had something special. 

That never happened. Bana OK came into form and Elba indeed came to take the "Madilu" role but he managed to find his own twist. 

Finally, with Madilu, Elba would sing on Madilu's last album Bonne Humeur which also had Nyboma and Wuta Mayi as well as Ballou Canta. 

With this final information, it makes me wonder if Madilu and Youlou had done a collaboration work with some aid from someone like Elba, how would it be? 

Who knows? I am going to another post related Madilu and Youlou.