Mbilia Bel's career took off in the mid-'80s when she sang alongside Tabu Ley on a number of recordings and tours, also recording solo albums at the same time. After her first child was born, she took some time off and decided to part company with Ley, making one last album with him in 1987. She moved to Paris and hooked up with guitarist Rigo... [+] Read More

Mbilia Bel's career took off in the mid-'80s when she sang alongside Tabu Ley on a number of recordings and tours, also recording solo albums at the same time. After her first child was born, she took some time off and decided to part company with Ley, making one last album with him in 1987. She moved to Paris and hooked up with guitarist Rigo Star, who composed and arranged much of her material. Most of her lyrics revolve around themes of adult love, which has proven controversial on some occasions. She toured the U.S., U.K., and West Africa from 1989 to 1990, drawing enthusiastic crowds. More recently, she has taken to experimenting within the traditional rumba/soukous framework, mixing in rap and other elements, with mixed results. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide [-] Hide

With his dynamic vocals and flamboyant personality, Papa Wemba (born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba) played an essential role in the evolution of Central African music. Respectfully known as "the King of Rhumba," Wemba successfully fused African traditions with Western pop and rock influences. A co-founder of Zaiko Langa Langa in 1970, he... [+] Read More

With his dynamic vocals and flamboyant personality, Papa Wemba (born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba) played an essential role in the evolution of Central African music. Respectfully known as "the King of Rhumba," Wemba successfully fused African traditions with Western pop and rock influences. A co-founder of Zaiko Langa Langa in 1970, he went on to international attention as the leader of Isife Lokole in 1974, and Viva La Musica since 1976. According to publicity materials for the Womadelaide festival, Wemba "creates wonderfully infectious music, combining the sophistication of a Paris nightclub with the vibe of an African open-air concert." While www.fyiucalgary.com proclaimed that "his voice is gold and his music makes you want to dance," www.afropop.com declared that he offered "just the right balance between traditional African music and Western pop." Born in the Kinshasa region of what was then the Belgian Congo and now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wemba was taught that he was descended from a long line of BaTetela warrior chieftains. His mother, a professional mourner who sang at funeral wakes, had a profound influence on his singing. He recalled in a late-'90s interview, "If mother was still alive, I would be rich in words and rich in melodies. She was my first teacher and my first audience." Wemba didn't begin singing until joining the choir of a Roman Catholic Church after the death of his father, a chief of customs, in 1966. The experience sharpened his abilities to sing in minor keys. Helping to form Zaiko Langa Langa in 1969, Wemba remained with the group for four years. During that time, the group went from playing American R&B to focusing on traditional Zairian dance music. Their hits included several Wemba-penned tunes, such as "Pauline," "C'est la Vérité," "Chouchouna," and "Liwa Ya Somo." Leaving Zaiko Langa Langa in 1974, Wemba formed the first bands of his own, Isife Lokole and Yoka Lokole. Both groups used the lokole, a hollow tree trunk played with two sticks, as a rhythmic foundation. Moving to the village of Molokai in the center of Kinshasa's Matonge district in 1977, Wemba formed his most successful group, Viva la Musica. Their music continued to reflect an authenticity campaign launched by President Mobutu. Wemba appeared frequently on state-sponsored television, talking about the influence of traditional Zairian music and the importance of the authenticity campaign. From the beginning, Viva La Musica's reputation was built as much on their passion for designer clothes as their music. www.afropop.org described the band's garb as "baggy, pleated trousers, hemmed above shiny brogues, and hair clipped close at the sides." Fans inspired by the band's style of dress began dressing similarly and were known as "La Sape," taken from the expression, "La Société des Ambienceus et ces Personnes D'Élégance." Viva la Musica was extremely popular among the Congo's youth. Their first year climaxed with the Kinshasa newspaper Elima naming the band best orchestra, Wemba best singer, and their single, "Mère Supérieure," best song. Over the next three years, the group continued to record hit singles, including "Moku Nyon Nyon," "Nyekesse Migue'l," and "Cou Cou Dindon." Determined to capture a European following, Wemba and Viva La Musica vocalist Rigo Star took a six-month sabbatical from the band in 1979 to join Tabu Ley Rochereau's group, Afrisa International. Relocating to Paris in the early '80s, Wemba formed a second version of Viva la Musica. While this group took a more Westernized approach, the original band continued to perform indigenous-based music. Wemba explained, "My original group is there for me Zairian fans who come to hear typical African sounds but when I decided to be a singer with an international name, I formed another group to appeal to a different public." Wemba appeared in the late-'80s musical revue Africa Oye!, and toured as the opening act for Peter Gabriel's Secret World tour in 1993. He received a best artist Kora award at the first All-African music awards ceremony three years later. Wemba has continued to fuse the musical traditions of his homeland and Western pop. His 1995 album Emotion was produced by Stephen Hague of Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, and New Order fame. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Pepe Kalle (born: Kabasele Yampanya) was musically and physically huge. Blessed with a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the six foot three inch, three hundred pound, vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums during his two decade-long career. Known affectionately as "the elephant of African music"... [+] Read More

Pepe Kalle (born: Kabasele Yampanya) was musically and physically huge. Blessed with a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the six foot three inch, three hundred pound, vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums during his two decade-long career. Known affectionately as "the elephant of African music" and "La Bombe Atomique", Kalle thrilled audiences with his robust performances.

Learning to sing in a church choir, Kalle was mentored by Joseph Kabasele, "Le Grand Kalle", in whose home he lived and worked in exchange for music and vocal training. Making his professional debut as a member of Kabasele's band, African Jazz, Kalle formed his own band, Bella Bella, with singer Nybomba, later of Sam Magwana's African All Stars, in the 1970s. His greatest work, however, came during the 1980s when he formed and performed with Empire Bakumba.

A true showman, Kalle's concerts are remembered for his playful exchanges with a dwarf, Emauro. While he primarily worked with his own band, Kalle collaborated with Zaiko Langa Langa and members of OK Jazz. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

A virtuosic approach to the guitar has made Diblo Dibala one of the top instrumentalists of modern African music. Dibala's 1980s recordings with soukous vocalist Kanda Bongo Man made him an internationally-recognized star. While his band, Loketo, featuring vocalist Aurul Mabele, failed to match the success of his collaboration with Bongo Man,... [+] Read More

A virtuosic approach to the guitar has made Diblo Dibala one of the top instrumentalists of modern African music. Dibala's 1980s recordings with soukous vocalist Kanda Bongo Man made him an internationally-recognized star. While his band, Loketo, featuring vocalist Aurul Mabele, failed to match the success of his collaboration with Bongo Man, Dibala has rebounded with a new group, Matchatcha. A native of Kisangani, Congo (now Zaire), Dibala moved at the age of six to Kinshasha. Beginning to play guitar, at the age of twelve, he quickly advanced on the instrument. Within three years, he was playing well enough to almost beat Zaire's top guitarist, Franco, in a competition. Franco was so impressed by his playing that Dibala was invited to join his group, The TPOK Band. Dibala remained with the group for only a short period, going on to play with Vox Africa, Orchestra Bella Mambo and Bella Bella. Leaving Zaire in 1979, Dibala temporarily settled in Brussels. Two years later, he continued on to Paris, where he discovered a thriving soukous scene. Hooking up with Kanda Bongo Man, he played a major role in the success of the 1981 album, Iyole. Dibala's playing on the album soon made him a much in-demand session player. Although he assembled his own group, Loketo, Dibala's laid-back personality clashed with the band's lead vocalist, Aurlus Mabele. In the aftermath of Loketo's disbanding, Dibala formed a new group, Matchatcha. Named after "a flower that produces an itch", Matchatcha featured ex-Loketo members Freddy de Majunga on rhythm guitar, Miguel Yamba on bass and dancers Antoinette Yelessa and Joella Esso. The band was enlarged with the addition of drummer Komba Bello Mafwala and vocalists Fede Lawu and Otis Mbute. Matchatcha has undergone a series of personnel changes with only Yelessa and Esso remaining from the original band. Majunga and Lawu were replaced, in 1992, by French rhythm guitarist J.P. Kinzaki and vocalists Dely Mpeletu and David Mondo. Yamba was replaced, later the same year, by bass player Fellyko, who was subsequently replaced by Djo Mali in 1994. Conga player Serge Bimangou has been added. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Tabu Ley Rochereau (born Tabu Ley) is one of Africa's most influential vocalists and one of its most prolific songwriters. Since making his professional debut, in 1954, as a member of Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele's band, African Jazz, Rochereau has written more than two thousand songs. Together with his band, Orchestre Afrisa International,... [+] Read More

Tabu Ley Rochereau (born Tabu Ley) is one of Africa's most influential vocalists and one of its most prolific songwriters. Since making his professional debut, in 1954, as a member of Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele's band, African Jazz, Rochereau has written more than two thousand songs. Together with his band, Orchestre Afrisa International, which he formed in 1970, Rochereau has continued to play a major role in the shift from Congolese, Cuban, and Caribbean rumba to faster-paced soukous. Describing the musical approach of Rochereau and Orchestre Afrisa International, ired World.3: The Global Netcast http://www.hotwired.lycos.com wrote, the group's "high-octane soukous continues to move audiences all over the world by weaving together elements of Zairean folk music such as the lokole (log drum), the soul and drive of R&B, Latin syncopation, digital percussion and synthesizers, silken harmonies, and the crystalline guitar stylings of Tabu Ley's longtime collaborator Huit-Kilos Bimwela Nseka, into a sophisticatedly sensual, irresistibly danceable, true world music." While he received the honorary title of "Knight" from Seenegal, Rochereau was named Officer of the National Order by the Republic of Chad. A member of the Bayanzi people of Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rochereau first attracted attention when he won a singing contest at the Kinshasa Stadium. Recruited to sing lead for Africa Jazz, he remained with the group until 1963 when he and guitarist Dr. Nico formed their own group, African Fiesta. Two years later, Rochereau and Dr. Nico split over artistic differences with Rochereau forming African Fiesta National also known as African Fiesta Flash. With Rochereau at the helm, the group became one of the most successful bands in African history, surpassing record sales of one million copies by 1970. Papa Wemba and Sam Mangwana were among the many influential African musicians that passed through the group. In the mid-'70s, African Fiesta National evolved into the larger group, Orchestre Afrisa International. Rochereau emigrated to the United States in the early-'90s. He continues to reside in Southern California. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Early hits by one of the hottest new wave soukous bands, it features lead guitarist Diblo Dibala (see Loketo). ~ J. Poet, All Music Guide

Early hits by one of the hottest new wave soukous bands, it features lead guitarist Diblo Dibala (see Loketo). ~ J. Poet, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Rather than compile a greatest-hits disc to celebrate 35 years in the music business, Tabu Ley Rochereau and his International Afrisa Orchestra re-recorded songs from his remarkable career for this release. Rochereau is the king of soukous music, an infectious dance music from Zaire, and this disc finds him in strong voice with a tight as a drum... [+] Read More

Rather than compile a greatest-hits disc to celebrate 35 years in the music business, Tabu Ley Rochereau and his International Afrisa Orchestra re-recorded songs from his remarkable career for this release. Rochereau is the king of soukous music, an infectious dance music from Zaire, and this disc finds him in strong voice with a tight as a drum band. Each successive track is a more joyous experience as Huit-Kilos' fluid guitar lines thread through some of the finest dance music ever made. For an instant party, throw it on. ~ Tim Sheridan, All Music Guide [-] Hide

This nice album of vocal work from the Congolese superstar Papa Wemba harks back to his childhood in Matongue (nicknamed Molokai by some of the locals). Wemba shows off some nice work with his voice soaring over the textures created by his band and backup vocalists. Moreover, on the initial track, "Excuse Me," he makes his a cappella debut,... [+] Read More

This nice album of vocal work from the Congolese superstar Papa Wemba harks back to his childhood in Matongue (nicknamed Molokai by some of the locals). Wemba shows off some nice work with his voice soaring over the textures created by his band and backup vocalists. Moreover, on the initial track, "Excuse Me," he makes his a cappella debut, without the security blanket of light instrumental work that normally accompanies him. This security blanket really shines through most often, however, as synthesizers mix with guitars and percussion to create a seamless texture of sound to back up Wemba's vocals all the way. This texture of sound can at time drop to the level of complicated elevator music, but in general holds itself above the usual standards for an accompanying band, with tight arrangements but soft wave fronts. The music can be relatively quick in tempo, but will still hold at a relatively relaxing energy level. The music is bouncy and uplifting in alternating turns with softer and soothing. This is Wemba at his best, providing nice works for himself and the bandmembers to display their prowess. Pick it up as an established fan of Papa Wemba or as a fan of African music who may be looking for something from the Congo aside from straight soukous. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Bel sang for years with Rochereau and went out on her own in 1988. Bameli Soy presents her in the Rochereau days. The marvelous Phénomène was the first fruit of her artistic freedom and it's wonderful, with ace arranger Rigo Star's work framing her sensuous style without making it soupy. And given how well her style and voice blended with the... [+] Read More

Bel sang for years with Rochereau and went out on her own in 1988. Bameli Soy presents her in the Rochereau days. The marvelous Phénomène was the first fruit of her artistic freedom and it's wonderful, with ace arranger Rigo Star's work framing her sensuous style without making it soupy. And given how well her style and voice blended with the benign drive of Afrisa International, as Bameli Soy attests, her solo success was against considerable self-competition. ~ John Storm Roberts, All Music Guide [-] Hide