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. 

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. 

Trio de Rêve Album: Les Beaux Gars Volume 3 avec Desouza, Nyboma et Nzaya Nzayadio

Nzaya NZAYADO 


Nyboma MWANADIDO 


Desouza SANTU 

Mon album de rêve: Les Beaux Gars Volume Trois 
Mes chanteurs: Desouza SANTU, Nyboma MWANADIDO et Nzaya NZAYADIO 
Les chansons selon Franco Pepe Kalle de leurs harmonies 
Adyijo par Nyboma 
Sepelisa Nzoto par Nzaya Nzayadio
Kamale par Lipua Lipua
Ndako ya Zeke par Pepe Kalle
Jalousie par Nyboma 
Tonton Gigolo par Madilu Systeme 
Nakombo par Madilu Systeme 
Double Double par Nyboma 
Mouzi par Ntesa Dialenst 
Tantine par Ntesa Dialenst

Ces chansons seront parfait pour ces hommes. Vous avez deux hommes avec beaucoup de diversité dans leurs voix. Je parle de Desouza et Nyboma. Ils chantent dans la manière du ténor. Mais ce cas, je pense que Desouza chante comme contre-ténor. Vous avez un peu de mémoire de la voix du feu chanteur Pépé Kalle. L'homme qui chante comme lui c'est Nzaya Nzayadio. 

Imaginez-vous si ces hommes chantent ensemble, je connais que la population congolaise sera heureux beaucoup avec leur harmonie. 

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. 

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 Trio: Josky, Nyboma, Youlou

Photo of someone else 

I am so surprised that this trio had never happened but it probably never will because of these men's ages and health conditions but if they were so well, I think this trio would have been amazing. 

I am speaking of Josky, Nyboma and Youlou Mabiala. Josky Kiambukuta alongside Nyboma and Youlou. 

These men would be the TRIO that Congolese people would enjoy to hear. I mean after all, Nyboma could almost sing with anybody and in fact he has. Think of Pepe Kalle, Madilu, Soki Vangu, Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Wuta Mayi and others. 

Now Nyboma did sing with Josky and Youlou Mabiala but never together. Nyboma sang on Josky's Oui Ca Va (2003) and Double Vie (2005) and Nyboma had sung with Youlou on Mose Sengo's classic 1995 Hello Hello and had sung with him during the Somo Somo era which also included Mose Sengo AGAIN. 

Now I think if there was a trio that should have been formed was this one. WHY? Because these men would have been perfect together in a trio ship. Remember the common theme? These men are diverse with their voices. So they can go high or low, and they would sound perfect together. That diversity is why I believe these men would have been a great trio. That would make this trio more credible than other trios together. 

It would have been the TRIO that was going to be classic. Josky, Nyboma and Youlou Mabiala. 

Dream Trio: Josky Kiambukuta, Nyboma, Soki Vangu

I have to do this. For many reasons. I am speaking about my great trioship. Imagine if we had these three men. 
1) Josky Kiambukuta
2) Nyboma 
3) Soki Vangu 

I have my reasons why they should have sang with together. 
1) Josky Kiambukuta has such a diversity as a singer 
2) Nyboma can sing with anyone 
3) Soki Vangu seemed to be able to tolerate everyone's sound 
4) Josky has a appreciation of musical diversity in Congolese Music 
5) Incredible melody of Nyboma and Soki Vangu singing together while Josky does his strong singing. 

I think these words explain my view of my imagination of these three singers together. I believe that they would be able to spark the fans with their voices melding together. 

The trio special: Josky, Nyboma and Soki Vangu

Dream Trio: Josky Kiambukuta, Nyboma, Tabu Ley

I cannot believe this event never happened. I mean songs where we would hear the voices of Josky, Nyboma and Tabu Ley singing together. 

I know Josky and Tabu Ley sang together on a collaboration work of Tabu Ley with Josky's boss Franco. I mean the two works of Josky, Franco and Michelino trio work. 

Tabu Ley and Nyboma did a song called Sacramento which was a hot song in 1986 and many people love hearing this song. It also showed people that Tabu Ley was cool with young people. 

Josky and Nyboma did songs together in the 2003 to 2005 period. It was very good with Nyboma on backup vocals with Wuta Mayi and Sergie Kiambukuta with Josky on lead vocals. 

Now imagine if we had Josky with Nyboma and Tabu Ley as back up singers or all them singing together at the same time, it would something classic and a great musical event for all Africans to listen to. 

Don't forget that these three singers would make a splash together if they did sang together. 

It could look like this. Nico and Tabu Ley together. 

Dream Duet: Nyoka Longo and Nyboma

I am so happy that find a dream duet involving these two people. Actually Nyboma has practically worked with almost every Congolese musician you could think of. Tabu Ley, Pepe Kalle, Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Josky Kiambukuta, and others to name. 

But there is one person that he has yet to work with and I wished he did earlier in his career. It was with Nyoka Longo. I think Nyoka Longo likes a very normal singer. I mean look at Adamo Ekula (who is a natural singer). I think these men would have been a great duo. 

Here is my reason, since Nyboma can sing at any level, he can the shining moment here while Nyoka Longo will be able to be the one giving heavy assistance for Nyboma. That way, we could be able to hear some strong medley between them. 

Here are few songs of Nyboma, I think would have been perfect with Nyoka Longo. 

My point is that Nyoka Longo and Nyboma should have had a song that was special and would have them give eachother's feed back. 

STOP FEU ROUGE

We have a great album or LP from two legendary musicians that have ever came in Congo and the whole great Africa. Well I am speaking of two singers who once grace the time. I am talking about Mr. Madilu Bialu System "Grand Ninja" and Mr. Nyboma Canta "Canto". These two singers are in my opinion one of the greatest singers in their generation.

The interesting about these two men are that they were part of the new wave of Congolese. It was that it began with former OK Jazz saxophonist and former Veve leader Verckys. He began getting some youth talent around the Kinshasa music scene. This new wave would eventually include people like Nyboma, Madilu, Nzaya Nzayadio, Nyoka Longo, Evoloko, Bozi Boziana, Papa Wemba, Pepe Kalle, and some others.

However during the 1970s, Nyboma had a lot of success and Madilu at the other end was just another name. Nyboma was in bands like Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua, and Les Kamale just making gold. Madilu had a good band in Bakuba Mayopi but that went nowhere and then tried a failed band Pamba Pamba with Bella Bella's own Soki Vangu. Nyboma managed to make great songs like Andoya, Mbuta, and others to think of. Madilu at the other end had one memorable song called Pamba Pamba and that was about it.

But in the 1980s in my opinion, Madilu had more fame than Nyboma. According to some music historians, Nyboma had began to be lost with going to West Africa with the band African All Stars. Nyboma tried to remake Les Kamale but that was so shortlived. Nyboma only got a revival in my view in his career when he joined 4 Etoiles with Syran Mbenza, Bopol and former OK Jazz singer Wuta Mayi. Madilu would find his own star when he sang the song NON with Grand Maitre Franco in 1983. From there, Madilu became the front man of OK Jazz. He made impact on songs like Pesa Position, Mamou, Mario, and Boma Ngai, Ngai na Boma Yo To Bomana. In addition, Madilu introduced a dance which in my view should never came in the first place. That was the dance Mayeno. This dance was first heard of Boma Ngai, Ngai na Boma Yo To Bomana which happened to have Franco on it and I don't think this dance suited Franco well. This dance eventually consumed OK Jazz and even Franco got himself into this dance as well. This dance became pretty official after Franco died in 1989.

Now all the history and opinion of mine cross into this great LP. This Lp that I am into is called Stop Feu Rouge. This LP is a absolute masterpiece of course with the dance Mayeno which apparently became very popular, no longer just in OK Jazz but almost everyone felt this dance. But the song it begins with is the song Stop Feu Rouge which I notice the best Afrisa singer Pompon Kuleta. His voice was felt as well as Nyboma, and Aime Kiwakana. I mean the song just gets you to the beat especially Nyboma and Madilu voices consume you. Then comes the song Magali which I love because Madilu just commands that song. It is a great rumba song with some important passion. I love it very much and I think others should hear this beautiful song. We deal with Keva which belongs to Nyboma because he once again, his soft and important voice in this song and with Dally Kimoko playing his guitar, we got something unique. In my opinion, the best song of this LP is KEVA.

However the song that was partially responsible for the legend of Madilu was the song Voison. Why this song as oppose to Magali. Well it is because this song has Madilu commanding the song and the dance Mayeno. Actually this song, my parents love to death. This song just brings you joy with the voice of Madilu because he is able to maintain his great vocals but also be serious. Of course, we have a little entertainment of Odette. That is so funny to me. I like this song too but not like my parents. TRUST ME. This song is the one I would definitely recommend to more older people like my parents.

This was the first time that actually Nyboma and Madilu though they have been close friends for some time. But after this masterpiece LP, on almost every Madilu work, Nyboma was involved. In one Kekele Cd with Nyboma, there was a song with Madilu. I argue that if this LP never occurred, I doubt Nyboma and Madilu would ever sang together. Just my opinion.

Golden 1970s focus: NYBOMA

The person that was very important during the 1970s was no other than the man who was a great backip singer. That man that I am speaking of Nyboma. Why him?

Well because Nyboma was the man that was able to make a great impact during this golden 1970s era. He was someone who knew how to sing so well. I mean Nyboma was very flawless when I hear him singing. He also was able to provide some great lead vocals and he knew how to be Nyboma.

When I hear songs like Abissina, Mbuta, Lusumba, Massele, Sofele, and others, what I see from Nyboma is the great singing. He can sing with anyone and he can turn it into gold. Also those songs were gold because a lot of Zairians knew those songs and they would enjoy those songs so much. Nyboma got lots of attention and he was becoming a important star.

I would say that Nyboma was able to make a great impact on three bands that he was part of whether it was Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua or Les Kamale. He was able to make some great impact and he was able to make great music and he was able to make some important songs.

That is why I call Nyboma a important focus during the golden 1970s era.

Amba

Hello my people. I am ready to make another review of a classic song that I knew and had enjoyed for sometime since being a kid. I mean this song really brought something worth hearing. Also this song is something that no one can ever do like this man.

I am focusing on Nyboma. Yep, Vieux Nyboma. The man who sang so many songs that some people know. During the mid 1970s period, Nyboma made some great songs like Mombassa, Niki Bue and others. But the song that also made Nyboma so unique was the song AMBA. This song proves the importance of Nyboma. He sings this song so perfectly. I mean this song also proves the greatness of Nyboma. Nyboma would shine and he would sing in a angelic matter that I cannot get. Other singers only add that smoothness in the song. We also have the great gutiars of Tonton Ricos and Vata Mombasa. Great song all around.

What this song showed was the greatness of Nyboma that was coming today. Nyboma was someone who knew how to sing in any time and be gold. This song proved that. Nyboma redid this song with Pepe Kalle and still Nyboma proved that he was so perfect.

A Deep Look at Soki Vangu

I have been looking a bit more now into the band that my dad loves a lot and I have come to sort of like. I am speaking of the band Bella Bella. This band had two brothers. They were the Soki Brothers.



I am going to focus on one man that I considered to be the most valuable member of Bella Bella and the one I said had leadership of Bella Bella this time and i felt that was really the responsible Soki and the better singer to me. No, I will not focus on Soki Diazenza. This man actually gave some help towards two great Zaire stars Nyboma and Pepe Kalle. I am going to give my own analysis on Maxime Soki better known as Soki Vangu.

Why Soki Vangu? He is my favorite Bella Bella character. Also, I had thought that Soki Vangu was Madilu System. Also I was always charmed by how Soki Vangu sang.

I already a post about Bella Bella (). I will not speak everything on Soki Vangu too much since I sort of talk about that on the Bella Bella.

Now I am giving my opinion on Soki Vangu.

What I see in Soki Vangu was a responsible man who wanted to make proper music and was a always a team player. Soki Vangu could have really done his own thing but he liked to have people around him to enhance his great talent. For example, Soki Vangu getting Diasi Kadi, Pangon Mananga, and Shaba Kahamba were musicians that helped complement Soki Vangu as well as his erratic kid Soki Diazenza. One good example was the song Horoscope. This song showcased Soki Vangu's greatness with the help of Pangon Mananga, and Diazenza's wild voice led the song to be so classic and Soki Vangu was able to be more creative.

Another thing about him was that he was a family man. He wanted to sing with his family and he was close with his young brother Soki Diazenza that they had a thing for music which led the formation of Bella Bella. No matter how erratic his brother was, Soki Vangu always wanted his brother to comeback to him and he sometimes got his luck. Because of that, Soki Vangu would be able to sing some great songs with Soki Diazenza. Also he made a song about his daughter. That song was called Petite Zizina meaning Little Zizina, Soki tells his daughter to grow up and understand that he is struggling and he wants his daughter to grow and be a responsible person.

Soki Vangu was a man who loved having other singers with him. One particular example is Nyboma and Pepe Kalle. Nyboma and Soki Vangu had known each other because they both were members of Orchestre Negro Success de Bavon Marie Marie. They came together after Diazenza became another person. Nyboma and Soki Vangu were so perfect together as singers. One particular song was Sofele. You just saw the goodness of those two men. But Soki Vangu added Pepe Kalle to further spice up Bella Bella. That example would the song Mbuta. We hear Soki Vangu and Nyboma backing up with Pepe Kalle on lead vocals.

What I am doing is giving my take on the man Soki Vangu himself. I am telling you how important he was during the Congolese music scene. He is one man who could have been a good solo act and a good collobrator. For example, on Sam Mangwana's Megamix song, he appears and still sounds great. Despite Soki Vangu's great talen, he was not able to advance as he should of. Regardless Soki Vangu was a dynamic star. I will do some youtube posts soon on Soki Vangu as well as Bella Bella.

One Look at Lipua Lipua

I am looking at this band a bit more than I had intended to do. I thought this band was just another band in the block and that many people care about them. I guess I was living a fantasy land.
The band I am speaking about is the band Lipua Lipua. This band was a band that was from another band: Bella Bella. In 1973, Bella Bella had left the Veve Label to form their own label. Bella Bella made a sng that would soon become the other band for the Veve Label. That band became known as Lipua Lipua. The original members included Pierre Bissikita, Kevin Kayembe, Tonton Ricos, Mulembu Tshibau, Mbubi Malanda, Nyboma, and Pepe Kalle. They produced some songs like Massale, Lusamba, Nkoleta, and Mombassa. But their signature song was Kamale which would be the song of the year in Zaire.

But Lipua Lipua experienced some departures like Pepe Kalle, Pierre Bissikita, and others. Bissikita formed his own band Makosso and Pepe Kalle went back to fully doing his band Empire Bakuba. But these departures seemed forgotten when they produced some notable songs like Fuga Fuga and Niki Bue. Also there was a new Rhythm Guitarist man name Vata Mombassa. Lipua Lipua was on top to become a hot band to be a force to be reckon.

Once again another blow came after. In 1975, the likes of Mulembu, Tonton Ricos, and Nyboma left to form Les Kamale. However these departures looked such a footnote. That is because new people arrived. Lists of these new guys included Kiloto Toko, Luswama Aspro, Santana Mongoley, and others. But the man who got his chance to shine and make his light is Paul Nzayadio better known as Nzaya Nzayadio. This man would be the lead singer for most of Lipua Lipua records for a few years. This was good for Lipua Lipua.

As result they managed to produce some classic songs like Mbondo, Matoba, Sekizenge, Namona Ya Wapi, and Mfeuni. This got Lipua Lipua got some well deserved spotlight and they were becoming the hot band. Also they were able to do some performances and personnels like Nzaya Nzayadio and Vata Mombassa were being able to show their skills to everyone to see how chart topping they could be.

However, Lipua Lipua started losing its thunder in 1980 after all the success it have had were becoming meaningless as more people became interested in other bands like Empire Bakuba, Viva La Musica, and Zaiko Langa Langa. Lipua Lipua was left in the backburner though they continued making music during the early 1980s. By 1984, Lipua Lipua was offficially done. Vata Mombassa continued to do his own thing while Nzaya Nzayadio became a session singer.

Lipua Lipua was a great band in my opinion. This band I say was slightly better than Bella Bella and even Orchestre Kiam. I say that Lipua Lipua's best time was with Nzaya Nzayadio's smooth voice and Vata Mombassa's great rhyhm guitar playing. That is what I say was the best Lipua Lipua time not really when Nyboma or him and Pepe Kalle were in the band. Lipua Lipua under Mombassa managed to showcase the one man Nzaya Nzayadio a lot. Really Nzaya was at his best during this time. Nzaya Nzayadio was a unique singer.

Interesting info on Bella Bella

I am going to speak on the interesting info on one band that I intially found nothing special but now I realize the importance of this group. I mean afterall, we had some notable songs I am aware come from this band. Also, this band made some songs that are not so forgettable.

The focus here is Bella Bella. This band was a great band born into the spotlight. This band was formed the Soki Brothers. It was Emilie Diazenza Soki and Maxime Vangu Soki. These two men were brothers. Soki Vangu was born in 1948 while Soki Diazenza was born in 1955.

Soki Vangu had a unique beginning. Actually it turns out that Soki Vangu had sang for Le Negro Success under the leadership of Franco's young brother Bavon Marie Marie before it died in 1970 after Bavon died in a car accident.

Soki Diazenza was a guy who never made it much to school and was always wanting to be in the spotlight. Well he won a singing contest in 1969.

From there, the brothers met and wanted to start a music career. They decided to come together and form a band together. They formed the band Bella Bella which means in spanish I think Beautiful Beautiful. But if so, it describes the band perfectly with some their classic songs.

They started doing hot by making some notable songs like Mado and Musoso. These songs helped rise the band Bella Bella and it started to become somewhat a good challanger to OK Jazz de Franco and Afrisa de Tabu Ley.

However when they joined the Veve Label, that is where all the problems started. Many musicians left the band however it leads to notable additions including Tonton Ricos, Manzenza, Michael, and Shaba Kahamba. Also another person joins them which is Nyboma. There now Bella Bella had four singers in Soki Diazenza, Soki Vangu, Mulembu Tshibau, and Nyboma. These four singers would shine for Bella Bella. But soon, Soki Diazenza had become very egoistic and was making Vangu mad. As result, Soki Diazenza left to do his own short lived attempt to do Bella Mambo. Soki Vangu felt he needed to get someone to come with him for a short stint. He found his luck.

While this situation was going on, there was another band in the block that had some notice. This time, Empire Bakuba was going on action to show their stint. They made some early songs like Nazoki, and Nabokula Ya Sabina. This band had the trio "KADIMA" who were Jose Dilu "Dilu Dilumona", Matolu Dode "Papy Tex" and Kabasele Yampanya "Pepe Kalle". However this band was not really going anywhere money and it seems that they were making occassional songs. This reason is why Pepe Kalle felt the need to sing with other people. He already had appeared on Vercky's controversial song Nakomitunaka. So he decided to join Bella Bella for a few months. As result, Bella Bella made two signifcant songs which were Mbuta and Lipua Lipua with establishing the trio of Nyboma, Pepe Kalle, and Soki Vangu.

But Bella Bella got back to its original shape when Soki Diazenza but they left Veve and many musicians stayed with the label which led to the formation of the band Lipua Lipua. But Bella Bella was getting on track once again and it found itself having the high time during the periods of 1973-75 with producing songs like Zing Zong, Horoscope, Houlex Houlex, and Zamba. Thes songs help make Bella Bella a major force to be reckon with.

But in late 1975, the described erratic Diazenza relaunched the Bella Mambo which also had the personnels of Diblo Dibala and Kanda Bongo Man. This led to a incredible slowdown for Soki Vangu but he continued to perform without his brother being around him. This was around the time when Bella Bella still had popularity though not many new songs were coming out.

Then around 1978, the brothers come back together but it was too little too late. Soki Diazenza seemed to have no interest in making music and Soki Vangu must have felt so much pain emotionally seeing his brother not that into music. Soki Vangu received his final blow in 1980 when his brother as well as Shaba Kahamba, Ponig Mananga, and Diadi Kasi left the band. Shaba went to join Afrisa International de Tabu Ley. Before the departure of Shaba, Soki Vangu had released a few songs like Soki Vangu Aye and Petitie Zizina which is a tribute to his daughter Zizina. Bella Bella was pretty much no more by 1981.

Soki Vangu did some occassional performances in Europe and sometimes visited Kinshasa. Soki Diazenza was singing in bars for money singing his old songs. Both of these brothers died in 1990. First was Soki Diazenza and later was Soki Vangu. Vangu was 42 years old and Diazenza was 35 years old.

Artist Profile Number Seven: Dona Mobeti

I am now giving another presentation to you to another artist I want you guys to become aware of. This man is someone who has a huge fan base of many Kinshasa people. A lot of Congolese people actually like this man a lot. He also made some unique impact in one band that was known very well in Kinshasa.

OK, I am speaking about Mr. Dona Mobeti. Yep Commandment Dona Mobeti that many Congolese people know about. He was born in the ages of Papa Wemba, Bozi Boziana, and others. Unlike the most of his generation, he was not part of the CLAN LANGA LANGA train. He was a member of the band Orchestre Cavacha and that band produced some classic hits. One of the notable ones that Dona did and he likes the song himself called Cherie Kadatti which was released in 1974 or at least Dona himself told me. But by 1980, the band Cavacha seemed nowhere. Dona Mobeti embarked a solo career.

Meanwhile, he formed a side band that had some popularity too. That band is called Molokai Stars. These group helped him get some important success.

Now days, Dona Mobeti is still active in music now pairing up with legends like guitarist Beniko Popilipo, and singer Nyboma.

Mbilia Bel Life

We are still in the Women's History Month and here I decided to make another post to a female artist. But this female artist is not from America. She is a popular artist in Africa (pacifically Congo).

I am speaking about Mbilia Bel. She was born in 1959 from Democratic Republic of Congo (Belgain Congo). Mbilia Bel always had some musicial abilities in her. She began her music career as back singer for Abeti Masikini and Sam Mangwana.

But Mbilia Bel really got her fame started when she was discovered by Tabu Ley in 1980. She would soon become Tabu Ley's valuable duet partner. Mbilia Bel's first record was "Mpeve Ya Longo" which is Kikongo version of HOLY SPIRIT. This song made Mbilia Bel go to major stardom. Then she got another song called Eswi Yo Wapi. That song was her banging record.

But her career highlight was the song Nairobi which was very popular in Kenya that even Kenya president at that time allowed other songs to be played there. Also the man who composed the song Tabu Ley. What a genius song.

Thanks to Mbilia Bel value to Afrisa International helped this band become a challanger (truly) to TPOK Jazz of Franco. We witnessed the duo competition. We had Franco & Madilu vs. Mbilia Bel & Tabu Ley. This made a perfect Congolese Music Scene.

But Mbilia Bel's relationship soon faded when she had a baby with him and Faya Tess joined Afrisa. This probably led Mbilia Bel leaving Afrisa in 1988 and began her solo career. But Mbilia Bel's solo career has had mixed results. Her popular albums are Welcome and Phenomen. She had calibrated with some people like Rigo Star, Lutumba Simaro, and Pepe Kalle. She released her latest album in 2010 called Diva. It had some guests like Dally Kimoko, Beniko, and Nyboma.

I love Mbilia Bel, and I apperciate her voice and I just wish more people knew Mbilia Bel.

madilu's great song

Now I can enjoy something for this weekend for what I have. I should have done some important work but I had so much fun during the weekend. For some reason, I had a great weekend which is good and bad, Good because I am in a good and positive mood. Bad because I can be so damn lazy.

The song that I can not stop playing and overplay so much is the song done by late Madilu System. This song is a song that I consider a masterpiece from Madilu System. The song comes from the album called "Album 95". That is such a genius material. The song is called Shamita. The song itself sounds so good. It has the beginning of the acoustic guitar of Maika Munan. That man knew how to make that beautiful acoustic guitar.

Then comes the vocals that are even greater which I witness the great singers with Nyboma, Luciana Demingogo, Wuta Mayi, and of course Madilu. Luciana is the person who stood out to me because he sang so well and he sounded like himself and could handle himself so well. Madilu also sang this song so well and made the song unique. Nyboma and Wuta Mayi were just perfect back up singers.

Then comes Rigo Star who plays Solo and Mi-Solo guitar and does both of those roles perfectly. We have a strong sebene banger with Madilu on the animations and that sounds like a genius being made. Then comes the bass from Lofombo which is basically Empire Bakuba's finest man Gode Lofombo who is one of the greatest bass players ever, The song was so legendary.

More Madilu posts to follow up soon.