I got another dream album in tribute to the late Simaro Lutumba. This album will be similar to the album of "Ses Grandes Oeuvres" but it will be more central around five singers this time unlike before. Also there is only 10 songs for this dream album. Some people will like while others will be scratching their but I will make my effort to make it be something special. Here is the singers Djo Mpoyi Sam Mangwana Madilu Systeme Josky Kiambukuta Youlou Mabiala Guitaristes Simaro Lutumba Ya Makosso Papa Noel Gerry Dialunguna Diblo Dibala Flavien Makabi Songs Sino ya Bruxxles Okozela Trop Mbanzi Tshiala Tala Merci Mbwa Vaccination Hommage a Luambo Bilonda Bisalela Animata Nazangi Visa Here are the credits of the songs Sino ya Bruxxles Vocales: Madilu Systeme et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Gerry Dialungana, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Okozela Trop Vocales: Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Diblo Dibala, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Mbanzi Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu Systeme et Sam Mangwana Guitares: Gerry Dialungana, Papa Noel, Ya Makosso et Flavien Makabi Tshiala Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Madilu Systeme, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Diblo Dibala, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Tala Merci Mbwa Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Madilu Systeme, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Diblo Dibala, Papa Noel, Ya Makosso et Flavien Makabi Vaccination Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Josky Kiambukuta, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Gerry Dialungana, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Hommage a Luambo Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Josky Kiambukuta, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Gerry Dialungana, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Bilonda Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu Systeme, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Diblo Dibala, Papa Noel, Ya Makosso et Flavien Makabi Bisalela Vocales: Josky Kiambukuta, Madilu Systeme, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Gerry Dialungana, Papa Noel, Simaro Lutumba et Flavien Makabi Animata Nazangi Visa Vocales: Djo Mpoyi, Madilu Systeme, Sam Mangwana et Youlou Mabiala Guitares: Diblo Dibala, Papa Noel, Ya Makosso et Flavien Makabi Have a good night and sleep well. This has been a tribute album for the late great Simaro Lutumba.
It is a sad day. We lost a great artist. He was called Simaro Lutumba Masiya. I will make a brief tribute in these words Lutumba Simaro, You were a poet. You were a doctor in music. You knew how to address societal problems without stupidity and noise. You chose great singers to sing your songs in the way you saw fit. You were the one who had humor in your heart. God gave you the gift of making a difference in our lives through your incredible music. I remember when I first heard your songs. I knew you were different from others. I am sadden you are gone but you rest on us with your music. Your music will be called "Real Poetic Music" I hope one day, there will be schools named after you. You are the true definition of "Poet". Sincerely, Franco Pepe Kalle Music Fan
Happy 80th Birthday to Massiya Lutumba Simaro Ndomanueno. I am going to give my post celebrating. It is about Franco, Pepe Kalle and Simaro Some people know that I like Franco and Pepe Kalle a lot. Yes they are my favorite artists in Congolese music. They are able to impress people. But I have said that Franco and Pepe Kalle are gret on their own. But if Franco and Pepe Kalle were together in OKJ, another person who would have benefited. SIMARO LUTUMBA NDOMANUENO. How would Pepe Kalle have fitted in OKJ. It would have been so good. Why you ask? Because think of Madilu, look how both Franco and Simaro were able to use him and how much Madilu adapted to their demands. So when they had Madilu as the one to lead the song, it was constant gold. But now Imagine Pepe Kalle instead of Madilu in OKJ. It would been perfect for Franco and Simaro. In spite of Pepe Kalle being a big name, he would have been perfect under the arm of Franco and Simaro. Pepe Kalle has one thing that Madilu did not quite have. He was vocal nurturer. If you listen to Pepe Kalle like I do, you would notice that he knew how to nurture people's wild voices. Think about Likinga Redo, Rigo Star, Papy Tex, Nyboma and Dilu Dilumona. He was a nurturer to them and that is why they were so comfortable with him. Simaro would have enjoyed Pepe Kalle's services in OKJ a lot especially the fact he was able to adapt Simaro's demands in singing. Also Pepe Kalle understood Simaro's emotion behind the music a lot. Think of the songs like Maya the second version. I mean he blew me away on he sang with Carlyto. Pepe Kalle would have been a good adapter to Simaro's music. But Franco would also have benefited as well. He would have loved and appreciated Pepe Kalle's nurturing voice. I mean Ntesa said that Franco wanted his music to kind of going along with Bakuba Mayopi and Pepe Kalle sound. If Pepe Kalle had went to OKJ, he would have given Franco some needed boost. I know Franco would have had a better harmony with a Pepe Kalle. Case in point the song La Vie des hommes. Madilu and Franco were amazing together in that song. They had a unique connection and they really sealed their harmony together. But if Pepe Kalle had sung that song, it would have been more fire. Pepe Kalle would bring a new type of emotion that would have touched people much more. Franco probably would have been more animated. Pepe Kalle would probably played the nurturer role with Franco's wild voice. I am sure Franco would sang Madilu's note while Franco's note would have been done by Pepe Kalle. Also think of another song. Tres Impoli. That song would have been benefited with Pepe Kalle's smooth baritone. Franco, Ntesa and Pepe Kalle together would have made a nice beautiful sound with their harmony. I could imagine a moment where Pepe Kalle comes in and does one or two harmony with Franco's voice. The song would have had some improvement with Pepe Kalle's baritone. Franco and Simaro would have enjoyed the services of Pepe Kalle and Pepe Kalle would have been a good nurturer for Franco's voice and a given Simaro song.
I am apologizing for not posting a long time. So many things have happened. I wish I could have posted this earlier. I have had family drama that has been more than bearable and I had little time to do writing since I had to do so many things. Family drama can be so bad.
This leads to this great post right here.
I have heard over the years of who is the responsible for the end of OK Jazz. Some say that it was Madilu only while others say that it was the only fault of Simaro. Nonsense. It is both Madilu AND Simaro who are responsible for the end of OK Jazz as well as Josky and Franco. Franco, Josky, Madilu and Simaro are responsible for the end of job. I will start with Madilu System. This man was a deeply arrogant man and believed that everyone else was a loser. I always wonder why would Madilu would stay in the band since he wanted to be the boss and he knew that he would have no chance in le TPOK Jazz. He was behaving badly and he was always being a asshole to everyone and he had a tendency to be a douche-bag many times according to those close to OKJ group. I don't what was Madilu's motive in staying in OKJ when it was clear that he wanted a "free life". Why go continue with a person whom Madilu admitted that he never got along with. Reference to the poet Simaro Lutumba. In fact he was doing more nzingzongs than being part of OK Jazz. Really most OKJ songs were with Ndombe, Djo Mpoyi, Aime Kiwakana and Josky Kiambukuta. Madilu should have left and started his own affair and do something great. Madilu System was already a man that was accussed of creating certain rifts between Josky and Ntesa as well as Franco and Simaro. By Madilu staying in OKJ was proof that Madilu had a strong shortage of character. He knew that he wanted power and he also understood how much he hated Simaro Lutumba. Yet he wanted to be approved by Simaro. He wanted so badly to be buddies with Simaro when Simaro clearly never liked him but realized what a good use that he could for his songs. Madilu wanted so badly to be in Bana OK. Yet Simaro made it clear that he did not want him in Bana OK. Madilu was mad at Simaro for not allowing him in Bana OK. Simaro chose Elba Top A to take his place. Simaro Lutumba This leads to my anger towards Simaro Lutumba. Simaro knew who Madilu was and what a douchebag he was especially since they were family. Madilu's aunt or sister was married to Simaro himself. Her name is Maman Kelani. It is not as if Simaro was not going to have a "reformed Madilu". All the other members knew how Madilu was and Madilu had a fallout with Franco to some degree which was apparently a inspiration to his song Voisin. Furthermore, Madilu had a band with Aime Kiwakana, and Gerry Dialunguna in La Festival du Zaire. It was Simaro who demanded them to comeback to the fold. They did. Simaro should have never done that. Instead, he should grabbed the remaining members and get some new blood from Kamikaze or Brazza bands where he could get some new sound with the phrase "Kilo ya Kinshasa" Madilu and Simaro had a beef long before the death of Franco. As Madilu had indicated in a 1999 interview how Madilu felt hurt by Simaro back in the late 1980s. It was clear their problems started in 1988 after their collaboration on the song Tala Merci pona Mbwa. Their hatred for one another only grew after the death of Franco.
This video pretty much sums the bad blood between Simaro and Madilu. Just look how Josky said Madilu's name twice and said Simaro's name only once. It was clear to some degree that Simaro was bothered by this. It was clear who the members were more comfortable with. They preferred the egoist man Madilu than the shy man Simaro. I am sure Simaro was deeply bothered by this. This did not help matters when Madilu was invited for a show in France in 1993 which was the reason why Simaro decided to suspend Madilu for three months before he created Bana OK which Simaro did not allow Madilu in at all. Madilu's recount on what happened was pretty much confirmed by Simaro himself in a certain phrase. To finally to put a nail on the coffin, it was Simaro's idea to make Madilu the second vice president. More fuel to the fire. The first vice president and vice president of Bana OK would be Josky Kiambukuta. Josky Kiambukuta Which leads me to this man. He is a great singer and a great talent and I love how he sang his classic songs. But as far a leader, he deserve some blame too. He made no attempt to try to be the middle man. I only say this because I saw this interview which he speaks on his career and how he separated with Lutumba.
Then I look and wonder why could have Josky be the middle man. If there was one person both Simaro and Madilu loved was Josky Kiambukuta. In a sense, Josky should have been the leader. He was the one that everyone loved. Look at his album Serrer Serrer. It had big success. It was clear that Josky was a beloved man. It was noted that Madilu often referred Josky as a "special individual". I blame Josky for this too. He was complicit. He could have found a way to keep the tension from getting so big. Because Simaro and Madilu did not like each other and Josky could have found resolutions to keep them from getting at eachother's throats. But he was indifferent and just let his ego get the best of him with having lots of fun as "the star". As result, Josky, Madilu and Simaro trio ended in 1994. But there is one person who deserve the blame too. Franco Franco deserve some fault too. I know he died 5 years before OKJ ended but he is not faultless in this too. I never wanted to blame because he was gone. But then I took another look and realized that Franco deserve some harsh criticism. This 1985 interview gives me a reason to look at Franco and wonder "WHY"
That interview, Franco attacked Lutumba Simaro and Ntesa Dialenst for their "nzingzong" work. It was clear that Franco hated nzingzong with strong passion. In fact he made it clear when he said this "They know that I like to have food while they go eating." This made me look at Franco again. Then I remember I did a post about 2 or 3 years ago about Franco about his "major gaffs". Two of them were Arrival of Madilu and Simaro being vice president. They go hand to hand. Franco already knew that Simaro was a big fan of nzingzong. 1985 was not the only time that he did this. He also did it in 1971 when OKJ was going through a unfortunate change when Vicky Longomba left the band for creation of his own band which ironically gave a Franco soukouss impersonator Syran Mbenza. That same year of the nzingzong was when Franco gave Simaro the role as vice president. Bad idea. I stand by this. Because of the 1985 interview that Franco gave. It was proof that Franco made a major error giving Simaro the vice president role. It was clear that there was bad blood between Franco and Simaro during the period. Seeing that makes me wonder "Why would you give something big to someone whom you knew would do one thing that you really hate". Also by bringing Madilu into OKJ, you brought in drama. Madilu came from Afrisa of Tabu Ley. Madilu had a big diva personality. Franco had a huge addiction with Pepe Kalle's voice and he wanted Pepe Kalle to be even a member of OK Jazz but Pepe Kalle said no. So he decided to look someone who sounded close enough to Pepe Kalle. He quickly realized that was Madilu. But Madilu's personality would in fact create a rift between Josky Kiambukuta and Ntesa Dalienst so much that they would not sing in eachother's songs. Franco was unable to get Josky, Madilu and Ntesa to become the main frontmen of OKJ. His inability to get these men get along is part of proof of having Madilu in Le TPOK Jazz was a bad idea. Madilu spoke a little about this here.
Also getting Simaro and Madilu together was a bad idea because Simaro was a shy and Madilu was a egoist man. This is a horrible mix and you just get pain. Franco should have had a meeting to get these men to get along but he did not and it created a bad blood that never recovered. Final nail on the coffin was that Manzenza who was Franco's manager, said that he wanted OKJ to run without him when he is longer alive. Franco should have had a tough talk with Simaro, Josky and Madilu and tell them how he would like them to do OKJ as well with his family to deal with business dealings so OKJ could have continued well. Franco clearly did not do that and he deserve some harsh for some of the situations that occured later in the early 1990s. Regardless, I am happy that we had Franco, Josky, Madilu and Simaro in the same band for some time. Somethings should have been handled differently.
Hello everyone, I am so happy to give a overlook on a LP that I have loved a lot since I was a teenager. Now as a young adult, I am grateful to still appreciate music like this. As some of your older rumba fans or rhumba fans as called by others, you are aware that now Lutumba Simaro is no longer is doing music mentioned in this post http://francopepekalleclassicambiance.blogspot.com/2015/04/reflection-poet-lutumba-simaro.html Simaro Retires I know will speak somewhat of the great 1989 lp of Simaro Lutumba or some call him Simaro Massiya. The lp is simply called "Pepe Kalle chante La Poete Simaro Massiya". This is a Lp for Simaro Lutumba to do another nzingzong. It would his second after doing back in 1984 with the song Maya. At this time, Franco was not well and OK Jazz was going downhill. So some OKJ musicians decided to some solo projects. Simaro was one of them.
This LP is so classic. All these four songs have a important message. About love and about how to avoid trouble. Like for example, Mukelenge, you can see Pepe Kalle sing as a woman who is telling her man to keep himself under control and make sure he is well health wise and body wise. The song kind of goes into that direction. Muana Ndeke is a song where he is singing a figurative song about a Child of a Bird. But it means that it represents the issues around the life such as people, marriages, and workers. My favorite song out of all this classic LP is the Diarrhée Verbale which literally means Verbal Diarrhea. NO it is not about the body but about the mouth. It is a reference to how much Kinshasa people love to gossip and talk shit about other people. Also, why it is a problem for Zairian people. As at the time Democratic Republic of Congo was referred Zaire or more accurately Republic of Zaire. Oh this where Pepe Kalle delivered the best. No wonder I am a Pepe Kalle fanatic today. But we get into the remake of "Coeur Artificiel" which meant Artificial Heart. But this version of the same song is called Motema Libanga which it means in this context a Cold Heart. Kind of the same affect. Someone being cold blooded. The original song was sung by Madilu System. But in the remix it was sang by Carlyto Lassa and Pepe Kalle. Carlyto did a good job singing it but I kind of wish that Madilu had sang the remix in a sense or it should have been Pepe Kalle in this case in my opinion but then again, maybe Simaro wanted someone completely different from Madilu. So Carlyto make sense. Plus his voice is so juicy and I love juicy voices. Excellent album if you ask me. I want everyone to get this work. It is everywhere. Excellent work from Simaro.
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.
I have a opportunity to give you something to enjoy during the summer. This is a good time for me. I am speaking of the album by the genius poet himself Simaro Lutumba. This album is called Shako. But this album is unique because this album has two combinations. Let focus on the last four songs before I go into the two songs. I am going on the other four songs that come from the Simaro and TPOK Jazz album. This is work from OK Jazz likely from 1988-89 period because we hear the voice of Malage de Lugendo. I also hear the voice of Djo Mpoyi, Josky Kiambukuta, and Madilu System. This work I don't believe involve any rhythm guitar of Simaro Lutumba himself. It is said that these four songs have no composition from Simaro. The songs that I am talking about are Eliana, Nakosenga, Kiwelelele, and Toweli. Three of those songs give you the idea of the dance Mayeno and Djo Mpoyi was the important man because he was all apparent in all four songs. Notice also there are more studio musicians than OK Jazz musicians. I see some composers are Al Zimbi bass man and Do Akongo the rhythm man. So that is the idea behind. Regardless, it is known that Franco had no part of this project since he was not well and was mostly residing in Belgium. Now let's get into the two songs that Simaro ACTUALLY was part of. I am talking two songs. They are Shako and Tshitshi. Shako is a interesting song because it premiers the voice of the woman Natalie who would participate in some Bana OK songs until 2001. Her voice is jolly and enjoyable. She was able to capture some youth sound out of her. That is a good song. It also includes Mr. Elba A formerly of Youlou Mabiala's group Kamikaze and Lokombe. Then comes Tshitshi. This song is just a genius because the strong voice of Ndombe Opetum. His voice is amazing and they are able to sound perfect. His strong voice with others are able to the song so strong. That is definition of real music and not the junk that we are used to every day. But the bands are different. Shako was definitely with Bana OK since Elba A is totally audible. The second song was with TPOK Jazz. The guitar sounds like it and more importantly, I think the unreconginsible voice with the other man and Ndombe is Madilu System. Since Madilu was never in Bana OK, then it must be OK Jazz. This is one of the best work for Simaro. It is a genius work. People should get this album as soon as they have a chance.
There is a great record that I cannot get enough of. Lately I have been enduring lots of scrutiny for being more happier than many of my misguided colleagues. But I take advantage of being a good person who cares about the world. One group who has been under so much scrutiny is my fellow Congolese people as they are suffering so much in Congo itself and are barely developed with so much pain that they have to endure every day and seeing women being raped and children being forced into coltan makes me sick to my stomach. I do live in a highly civilized society and I do have some good money and yes I have been blessed with some great things. But I do not and will not forget where I CAME FROM. I apperciate the roots that I have been given. I need to be grateful for what I GOT. This rant of mine leads this song that I has been touching my heart lately. I am speaking of my idol late Pepe Kalle and great poet of Zaire name Lutumba Simaro. These two great giants teamed for the last time which was a year before Pepe Kalle's unfortunate passing. This song touches me in many ways that I cannot understand and for some reason I sometimes weep when I hear this song. It is so damn touching to me as a young Congolese American who has endured to so much pain. I have been through so much challanges because of this idea of being the perfect American is so redicilous unless you apperciate your roots.
Anyway this song is called Trahison. This song has a deep message behind it. Pepe Kalle sings about the beauty of challanges. The hard life of love, marriage, family, and of course friends. Also Pepe Kalle speaks about the importance of the soil that you come from. This message is powerful to me as I struggle to get through. But I am someone who will keep going because I understand how hard life is.
This is a day that I may be more happier. Doing better and getting better academicly speaking. Things are getting better for me as I am goin in the right course. Thanks to my parents, now I am in a great path which only makes me more happier than ever. To get it started, I am starting with a song that many Franco fans now should probably know somewhat. I am speaking of the great song that is a unique Franco song. This song is the one that Franco would follow up in the later 1980s. That song I am talking about is Fabrice. This song I am speaking of is the first version of Fabrice. The original song. There was three Fabrices that Franco did in the 1980s. This song is the original version. It is just simply called FABRICE. This song is about fashion as the other two. But on this one, Franco here praises people with he thinks are valuable fashion. He mentions name. He even mentions Fabien which is a great name. I have a personal connection to that. Fabian was my grandpa who was a Congolese Activist who loved Congo with all of his heart. I share his vision big time. He also mentions others even Verkys who had his own band LE VEVE. He also mentions Simaro, Ndombe, and also Josky. This song is very unique singing wise too. We have some great vocals of Ndombe Opetum, Lola Checain, and Wuta Mayi. These three men were perfect together with Franco's great lead vocals. I mean that is great. Better guitar team as well with Gege Mangaya, Mpupi Decca, and Papa Noel. This song was great because Franco's great 5 minute solo. It is one of Franco's perfect solos I have seen for a while. Genius song. People need to hear this song big time.
