Dream Duets: Nyoka Longo and Tabu Ley

 

We got a dream duet edition of dedication of Tabu Ley Rochereau. We got two people that I think Tabu Ley should have sung with. This is the first edition. Who is the first act that should have sung with Tabu Ley. This man is one of the co-founders of Zaiko Langa Langa. This man has made Zaiko a special band. Who is the individual that I am speaking about? 

I am speaking about Nyoka Longo who is the current president of Zaiko Langa Langa. Nyoka Longo is very popular current with his Zaiko faction. Nyoka Longo came from afar. He was very lucky that Papa Wemba, Evoloko and Mavuela Somo left and also he managed to get rid of Pepe Felly. Had these men remained, I am not sure if Nyoka Longo would have even had a place. 

But Nyoka Longo is a good complementary singer. If you listen to Amour Suicide that he sung with Likinga Redo and Malage de Lugendo, you will see how good that he is. I wonder why Nyoka Longo never sang with Tabu Ley especially both could play sebenes pleasing their fans enormously.  Also, they have great soloists who knew how to make their signatures that stays in our heads for a long time. Nyoka Longo would mix well with a Tabu Ley because Tabu Ley has a romantic voice like Likinga and Malage had. 

Nyoka Longo and Tabu Ley would have a perfect combination because you would have the music of Zaiko Langa Langa with a singing style of Africa Jazz . That is the absolute truth of this collaboration had it occurred. Perhaps you would put Beniko Popolipo on solo, Dino Vangu on misolo, Pele Simba on rhythm and Oncle Bapuis on bass. 

I will give two songs that would fitted these two singers together. 

Nyoka Longo's song Le tout neige 

Tabu Ley's classic hit Sorozo

These songs would show the strong chemistry between these two great stars. Nyoka Longo and Tabu Ley would have done some strong animations. They were both pretty good animators. These two men knew how to make great sebenes and it would have shown with these men together in those two songs that I mentioned. 

That is why I am shocked that Nyoka Longo and Tabu Ley never worked considering they seemed to have a cordial relationship and Tabu Ley enjoyed Zaiko a lot. Also Nyoka had some influence of Afrisa in his singing as well as singing of others. 

There will be a second Tabu Ley post of Dream Duet. 

What would Zaiko Langa Langa be like if it was run by Pepe Felly and not Nyoka Longo

Nyoka Longo


Pepe Felly

There is a big question for Zaiko fans. One former member that people speak about the most. It ain't Dindo Yogo or even Papa Wemba. It is Felix Mankauku better known as Pepe Felly. 

But I do pose a question about them. What would be Zaiko be like if it was led by Pepe Felly instead of Nyoka Longo and Nyoka Longo formed another Zaiko clan maybe called "Zaiko Mabina" or "Zaiko Dance". 

Here is my theory 
Pepe Felly actually would have made Zaiko much better. Really? Yes much better. Because Pepe Felly founded some amazing singers during his great time with Grand Zaiko. I mean think about Adamo Ekula, Djeffar Lukombo, Djo Poster, Shimita and even Defao. Unbelievable. 

I think Pepe Felly would have created some groups within Zaiko and you would see what kind of singers sing together. I mean Pepe Felly had a feeling who was who and which kind could fit in a given song. 

Want evidence of this. Nyoka Longo would steal musicians like anyone but where do they usually come from?

GRAND ZAIKO WAWA.

No kidding. One particular example of this was the addition of Adamo Ekula. He would be a big backup singer in Zaiko and he would make some amazing songs as well as strong vocals.In fact he would be stronger than Malage de Lugendo. I wish Adamo had done songs with Madilu. I think Adamo would have been a great duet partner to Madilu. That is my opinion anyway. 

Also finally Pepe Felly managed to bother Nyoka Longo with the fact that he founded singers who sounded like the Zaiko singers. One Nyoka Longo impostor was Djo Poster. Now you would think Nyoka Longo not care but he did. It bothered that someone who sounded like him. SMH. Anyway, Nyoka Longo would steal musicians from this group like I said before. 

So would Zaiko have been better with Pepe felly. I say yes. 

Dream Trio: Josky Kiambukuta, Malage du Legendo, Nyoka Longo

I think this moment should have happened and I am livid that this never occurred during our life time. Seriously these three singers would have fitted as a great trio. 

I am speaking of Zaiko Langa Langa leader Nyoka Longo, OK Jazz alum Josky Kiambukuta and former OK Jazz and Zaiko Langa Langa singer Malage de Lugendo. 

Because these three men would have been a little like MAMAKI. That was a trio for a side project that consisted of Josky Kiambukuta, Mayaula Mayoni and Youlou Mabiala. 

Now this MAMAKI group would be the Soukous version. Josky was good and expert like of Rumba music. But Josky was pretty impressive a few of his Soukous songs. Like Maby. 

I could imagine Maby or even Serrer Serrer sang with Malage and Nyoka Longo because I know Longo despite his not so special voice, he could be able to hit some medium notes with Malage hitting high notes. 

Just look at the possibility with them singing Baby. With Madilu as well around 1992 or 1993 period. 

Dream Duet: Nyoka Longo and Pepe Kalle

I am getting prepared for a moment that should happened after a certain concert had occurred. 

It was a great concert and you could see that these two bands were special and as usually, we take them for granted. 

I am speaking about Nyoka Longo and Pepe Kalle. Actually, I always wondered why Nyoka Longo and Pepe Kalle did't actually made a song together. I also wondered why they did not have a moment where they knew that they should have done a record together. That is just me. 

I actually say the one person that goes perfectly with the voice of Nyoka Longo is Pepe Kalle. I know I said Nyoka Longo likes a soft person with his voice but I also know Nyoka likes someone who has baritone but yet sill get high notes when needed. That is Pepe Kalle view I got for you. Pepe Kalle fits this dilemma. 

Furthermore, I know that Nyoka Longo and Pepe Kalle made an duet together, they would be able to sing well together and they could both do the animations since they were great animators and they would not need their animators to help them out. Pepe Kalle in particular is one of the greatest animators to exist. 

I mean look here how dynamic Pepe Kalle and Nyoka Longo were during their 1995 concert. Imagine if they did an actual record together. 

Dream Duet: Josky Kiambukuta and Nyoka Longo

I am going to do a duet that would have been a special moment for us all. 

I am talking about Josky Kiambukuta and Nyoka Longo. These two men are known in Congo and they are deeply respected. Josky is only 5 years older than Nyoka Longo. They all follow a certain logic. 

The reason I think these men should be together for five reasons 
1) They came from the Verckys era effect
2) They both were somewhat adventure men 
3) They have strong confidence
4) Their voices are deep and profound (though Nyoka Longo is an average singer) 
5) I actually Nyoka Longo would benefit this duet, and he could learn a few things. 

I actually think it would get Nyoka Longo better artistic ability if he sang with Josky Kiambukuta. Josky knew how to make music and he knew when many things were messed up. Josky was one great missioner of music. One person that would enjoy the power of Josky is Nyoka Longo. 

My final words for this post: They would be able to observe another when they sing together. 

Just look at this great performance which shows Nyoka and Josky.

Dream Duet: Franco and Nyoka Longo

I am so happy to do another set of dream duets. 

Two people that I want to see do a duet together is Franco and Nyoka Longo. They need to get a duet together. Because they are both dynamic stars in my opinion. I believe that they can do some songs where Franco can do the storytelling and Nyoka Longo does his average singing. Though Nyoka Longo is not a special singer, he is able to give a show his average voice in a good light. I will give him that. 

But I got a twist here. I have another artist who should part of this duet exchange that I propose. 
That is La Poete. 
Poete Lutumba Simaro. 


Why Simaro Lutumba. Because I know, Nyoka Longo is actually very good with songs of Simaro's musical style. Etape rings a bell. It was a very slow and yet a somewhat poetic song and Nyoka Longo had a big role in that song.With Franco, we know that he sang a few Simaro records. Also a few times, it was great for Franco to play some Simaro songs and make them feel more special. 

Here are few songs that I believe Franco and Nyoka Longo would give them genius material. I am only speaking of mysteries. 
1) Kadima 
2) Makambo 
3) Mangasa 

I think these are the songs that would have been a blast with Franco and Nyoka Longo worked together. 

What event, it would be if this duet had happen. 

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. 

Likinga Redo no more

Man I could not see this coming even with a old artist like this man. This man has had problems in the past and he had great troubles prior to his unfortunate death. 

Well I am speaking about the death and unpextated one from Likinga Redo. He was 59 years old when he died. He died on August 8, 2013. This death stunned and I just could not believe it. I found this out from former Zaiko Langa Langa singer Adamo Ekula. 

Well let me speak on this great Artist Mr. Likinga Redo. I know that this man began his music career with Empire Bakuba led by Pepe Kalle (who is no longer here). Likinga would appear in songs like Calvaire, and Montesse. Then in 1976, he officially became a memeber of Zaiko Langa Langa. This time he sang with Nyoka Longo, Lenga Lenga (Ya Lengos), and Bimi Ombale. They made some great songs and being able to produce some dynamic dances. Likinga Redo produced one song that was popular for him. That song is Viya. This song got Likinga Redo in a unique place. He was beginning to develop his own identity. Zaiko was starting to become a important band alongside Empire Bakuba de Pepe Kalle. 

Likinga Redo was said to a drug habit and clearly some one was not happy about it. After he releasd his other song Antalia, he got caught with drugs in Portugal in 1983. This led to his arrest and as result he was in jail for five years. 

Likinga Redo got a tribute song while he was in jail. That was his old friend Pepe Kalle. He made the tribute Souci ya Likinga. This song became pretty popular around the Kinshasa scene in 1986. 

Redo got out of jail in 1988 to join Zaiko Familia Dei de Pablo. But he did last there long. Then Likinga Redo had really became a session singer releasing a few albums. But Likinga Redo was not the same and despite making great music, people seemed to have enough of Likinga and he had became a shadow of himself. 

Then in 2002, he worked with former Empire Bakuba mate Papy Tex on their work together called Mon Bebe. This would be Likinga's last music before he went fully into Christian music. That could be seen with Soeur Lumumba around the 2006 period. After that, Redo had privately lived his life. 

It was said that Likinga Redo had suffered dementia-disease for five months before his unfortunate death. Strange for me, because Likinga had indicated some time ago, he was ready to get his life back on his own Facebook. Of course, Likinga died on August 8, 2013. 

It is ashame that he is gone and I will forever miss him. His music will live on.

Rest in peace Vieux Likinga Redo

My Note to Grand Maitre Franco

Dear Franco,

Franco you are a great musician. You were a true Congolese musician. You were a musician who understood others and wanted the best in every musician. Most musician envied you because you knew life so much. You were wiser than your age. Musicians like Papa Wemba, Tabu Ley, Pepe Kalle, Nyoka Longo, and Bokelo were never able to be like you. You were a figure that had something that those five did not have. You were so real. You spoke the truth even when it was not a popular opinion. You did songs that caused a real discussion not only in Congo but within the whole Africa continent. You changed the face of Congolese music. You were the only musician that was able to really real authentic Congolese music that is so unique. You are the reason why Congolese music became unique. You were the one who brought the uniqueness of a musician. You had humor but you were a real man. Franco, you are not replaceable. Rest in Peace.

Sincerely,

Franco Pepe Kalle

Soucis Ya Likinga

This is a interesting to me because in today's society, people like to betray each other so often and people like to stab each other in the back believing that they will benefit. It is so rare today that people stand by their friend often, it is just does not happen on regular basis anymore. They go and help their friend out.

One person who has that friend heart is Pepe Kalle. Pepe Kalle had a mindset of helping a friend out even though he did something horribly so wrong. Pepe Kalle made a song for his friend. The song is called Soucis Ya Likinga. For some time, people wondered who LIKINGA that Pepe Kalle was singing about. Some people thought including myself Pepe Kalle was making a character name Likinga.

Turns out many of us were so wrong. In fact the song Soucis Ya Likinga was about former Empire Bakuba and Zaiko Langa Langa singer Likinga Redo. Background behind this story is that Likinga Redo while on his peak of his music career, was basically doing drug dealing and that nobody knew about it including Nyoka Longo and Pepe Kalle. Eventually Likinga Redo got caught and he was sent to jail for 5 years. Yep, 5 years. Likinga would be in prison for 5 years. So one person decided to make a song for Likinga. That man would be Giantafrique Pepe Kalle. Pepe Kalle made this song called Soucis Ya Likinga. Clearly on this song, you could tell that Pepe Kalle was angry over that Likinga Redo was in jail and wanted him out. Pepe Kalle was really emotional in this song. The song really show what a great singer Pepe Kalle was. I enjoy his voice so much. For Pepe Kalle to care deeply for Likinga Redo, shows you that Pepe Kalle had a deep true respect for his friend. Alturism does not exist that much anymore but Pepe Kalle had that a lot.

Pepe Kalle and Likinga Redo were singers together in Empire Bakuba and were perfect together.

P.S. I will try to make a good biography on Likinga Redo.

Here is the song Soucis Ya Likinga