Dream Duet: Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe

 

We got a dream duet edition of dedication of Papy Tex. We got two people that I think Papy Tex should have sung with. This is the first edition. Who is the first act that should have sung with Papy Tex. This man was the singer that got to sing with both Franco and Tabu Ley. He is known to have a similar voice to Tabu Ley but is better singing lower. He is one of the key players of Bana OK? Who am I speaking about?

Ndombe Opetum or many people call Pepe Ndombe. Pepe Ndombe would have been a great partner to Papy Tex. Why? Because as I mentioned he is the lower version of Tabu Ley. Papy Tex is heavily influenced by Tabu Ley. Papy Tex does sound similar to Tabu Ley but more softer with his voice. Like Tabu Ley, Ndombe and Papy Tex were romantic kind of singers and knew how to impress ladies with their ladies. Their voices have remained strong over the years. I have twenty songs that would reflect the beautiful reflection of these two men. 

1) L'estime n'est pas l'amour by Pepe Ndombe
Tabu Ley: L'Estime N'est Pas L'Amour 
2) Na Yebi Ndenge Bokolela Ngai by Pepe Ndombe 

3) Osala Erreur by Pepe Ndombe

4) Male by Pepe Ndombe 

5) Matondo by Pepe Ndombe 

6) Oye Lisusu by Pepe Ndombe 

7) Mpenzi Bupe by Papy Tex (remake of Papy Tex anekudja)

8) Naluka yo sabina by Papy Tex 

9) Monsieur Malonga by Tabu Ley 

10) Gigi (Gisele) by Papy Tex or Soki Dianzenza 

11) Cherie Nyota by Soki Dianzenza 

12) Aideu Leya by Papy Tex 

13) Angela by Pepe Ndombe 

14) Miwela Miwela by Grand Kalle 

15) Monano by Tabu Ley 

16) Allo Cherie by Papy Tex 

17) Heritier by Pepe Ndombe 

18) Yo Seli-Ja by Josky Kiambukuta 

19) Elisee by Pepe Ndombe 

20) Muanetu by Pepe Ndombe 

These songs would have fitted well Ndombe and Papy Tex because their voices are Tabu Ley school with two different levels. Also I know Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe would have assisted well with the songs because both are hard workers as singers and they know how to sing professionally at all times. This is part of the reason why I believe that Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe would have been the perfect musical couple. 

I know if someone had a Tabu Ley tribute special, I would have chosen Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe. Because when they would sing Tabu Ley songs, I know people would enjoy the voices of Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe. Also they would have made the ladies go insane with Tabu Ley's earlier songs because I know that ladies would feel very attached to their voices. 

Papy Tex and Pepe Ndombe would have been one perfect duo. 

This is the end of Papy Tex special duet edition. 

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. 

The lack of use of a trio

Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu System "Jean Bialu Madilu", and Pepe Ndombe "Ndombe Opetum". 

At the time around the 8th anniversary death of Madilu System. I am going to do something that I have wanted to do but now I am going to release of OK Jazz fans. 

I love duets and I am going to get more duets coming up soon. Right now too occupied by family, women and work. No kidding women want to see left and right. 

But I also love trios as well. This is going to be first post dealing with trio. But this post will do one thing: speak on a lack of a trio. 

I am speaking about three singers that I like a lot. Especially being in OK Jazz and their own careers. I am speaking of Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu System and Pepe Ndombe. 

These are singers that had their impact on OK Jazz in unique ways. I don't like the fact that there were few songs that had the voices of Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe. Especially when Madilu came into OKJ in 1980, I wish that Franco or Simaro would have tried to get Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe to get a few songs together. Like it occurred with Aime Kiwakana, Josky Kiambukuta, Lokombe Ntal, and Madilu System. Or Simaro and Franco could have founded ways to get Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe to alternate with Wuta Mayi, Djo Mpoyi, Diatho Lukoki, or Aime Kiwakana. 

Here is why I say this: Listen to these songs. Baby and Serrer-Serrer on Josky' s 1991 classic LP 
As for the opinion of this LP. Look at this link here 
Baby 1991

You realize how great these songs were. Really because of Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe alone. As you can see, the fourth person can just come in to make the song even more classic. As you notice on Baby, you hear Djo Mpoyi but with Serrer Serrer, you hear Aime Kiwakana. But really it is due to the great voices of Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe. 

Even better when you listen to the song Ofela which was on OK Jazz's last album before its unfortunate split. I mean you can hear the medley of Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe alone just together. No fourth person. I MEAN NO FOURTH PERSON IN THAT SONG. So this song makes my case of how much less of we had of these three people singing together. 

Most of the time, it would be Josky-Ndombe effect as well as Josky-Madilu effect. Hardly we had much of Madilu-Ndombe effect. Josky/Ndombe and Josky/Madilu was more in common than Madilu/Ndombe. I hate to use this analogy but this would be like "TRIO KADIMA" crew or as the three men of Empire Bakuba. Dilu Dilumona, Papy Tex, and Pepe Kalle. Dilu Dilumona and Pepe Kalle had very similar voices. But hey they managed to meld well with Papy Tex. Guess who had similiar voices?

Madilu and Ndombe. They were both I call the "Rochereau Logos" as they sounded pretty similar to Tabu Ley Rochereau. They both happened to play with Tabu Ley (though Ndombe actually got to sing with Tabu Ley and I don't think Madilu ever had a chance as Tabu Ley preferred Papa Wemba). In many ways, their voices are very similar that sometimes you get confused who is who. So I could see why often Madilu and Ndombe would not sing together. But at the other hand, since we had Dilu Dilumona and Pepe Kalle, I feel that we could have had some more of Madilu/Ndombe moments. 

This is also why I'm stunned when in 1988 when Ndombe released a solo album with OK Jazz, he made no song with Josky's voice but one song of his two songs having Madilu's voice. Interesting but then again as I stated, we often had Josky/Ndombe, Josky/Madilu and then occasionally Madilu/Ndombe. It was rare for Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe to sing together as a trio. I believe as them as a trio, we only had five songs of them together. I mean only FIVE. So disappointing. 

That is why when I hear songs that had Josky, Madilu, and Ndombe together, I have so much joy since they are few in between. The chemistry of their voices together were perfect and on point. 

This is also why I wished this trio would have been used in the earlier years like early 1980s to make some classic songs because it would have been also even more fun for the younger fans of OK Jazz. To see a old veteran, a great experienced singer with a younger singer would have given OK Jazz fans (I mean younger ones) some great fun when they got tired of Ntesa, Diatho, Wuta Mayi, and Djo Mpoyi and want something different. I hate that their great moments were during the later years of OK Jazz when basically people prefer Empire Bakuba and Zaiko Langa Langa. 

Well it also goes into my announcement: I am going to some Trio singers that I wished came together. I will continue the duet series of course but now I will add the trio class. 

Pepe Ndombe Opetum Today

Today we have a update about the late Ndombe Opetum aka PEPE NDOMBE. Pepe Ndombe has his new song now exposed to the whole public to see his new song that would have gotten Ndombe respect.

Also I have pleasure to show you another video of Pepe Ndombe. This performance was with his children including former Wenge Maison Mere de Werrason member Baby Ndombe. Here they are performing his known song Macha. Also there is a interview with Lutumba Simaro "La Poet" who explains what is going on after Ndombe.
Here is the video

Ndombe Opetum song: YOUYOU

One song from Pepe Ndombe that I found to be a classic song was the song from OK Jazz. That picture above you see is when Ndombe Opetum was a member of Afrisa with Tabu Ley. Ndombe definitely knew how to shine.

Now the song I am going to inform about from the late Pepe Ndombe was the song called YOUYOU. This was Ndombe's great song during the early 1980s when OK Jazz was reaching its peak as a band alongside Afrisa International. Ndombe really shined in this song and he showed how much of a genius he actually was a singer. He also gave a inner passion that we often don't see often from a musician. I see other singers support him with Lukoki Diatho, late Ntesa Dalienst & Wuta Mayi.

Ndombe Opetum was showing you how good of a singer he was in this performance. Not only that but he tried to tell Youyou how important she was to him. So you have a perfect song made here. I hope others will be able to hear this great song.

Ndombe Interview One

Here is one interview with Pepe Ndombe back in April 2011 on the show called SEKELE. Watch this interview of Pepe Ndombe.

Reaction of Pepe Ndombe's passing

I found two videos of the latest on Pepe Ndombe Opetum's sad passing.

Here are two videos of reaction of Pepe Ndombe's death. RIP Pepe Ndombe

Pepe Ndombe Gone

I had plans to kick some excellent music for you guys but sadly I have to be put that on hold as I have sad news to tell people.

The news which was a big deal yesterday is the death of Ndombe Opetum aka Pepe Ndombe and the father of former Wenge Musica Maison Mere singer Baby Ndombe. Pepe Ndombe passed away yesterday at the age of 68.

For those who do not know Pepe Ndombe, he was a great Congolese singer. He was born in Bandundu in the city of Mai-Ndombe. He was born in 1944. He had music on his mind.

He started his music career with his own band Afrizam which had influence from Afrisa Fiesta of Tabu Ley. Tabu Ley himself wanted Ndombe so Ndombe joined Tabu Ley in 1971 or 1972. They made some great songs together like Cherie Samba. That song had huge impact with many people even my father. My dad told me a few months ago that this song had a profound impact in his life.

Then Ndombe joined Franco and TPOK Jazz in 1975 after Sam Mangwana left the band. From there Ndombe really was able to shine. As result, he made some classics like Youyou, Mawe, and Voyage Ya Bandundu. He was a golden man as he got sing alongside with Josky, Djo Mpoyi, Youlou Mabiala, and Ntesa Dalinest. Ndombe also had another band of his own called Tiers de Monde. He also was a big contributor to the band Bana OK.

But the thing I like about Ndombe was his work with Madilu. He and Madilu made a album which contained 5 classic songs. One particular song I liked from Ndombe was the song Baiser Ya Judas. That song made Ndombe's voice stand out.

Pepe Ndombe is no longer here but his memory will live on.

PS The next posts I make will be the tribute to Pepe Ndombe himself.