Baloji – Tout Ceci Ne Vous Rendra Pas Le Congo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/baloji-tout-ceci-rendra-pas-congo/
After the release of “Hotel Impala” in 2008, Baloji felt an urge to go to the Congo and start a deeper exploration of his roots.
When he set out for Kinshasa, his original plan was to work with local musicians and rework the songs from his latest album. The results were so exciting that he […]
African Jazz invites OK Jazz
https://amf.didiermary.fr/african-jazz-invites-ok-jazz/
The evolution of Congolese popular music in the 1960s and 70s is generally classified into two major schools: African Jazz & OK Jazz. The main representatives of those schools are Joseph Kabasele alias Grand Kallé, founder of African Jazz, and Franco Luambo, co-founder of OK Jazz. Two temperaments and ambiances, [...]
#60smusic #70smusic #Compilation #Congo #Rumba #OldAfricanMusic
Passy Mermans – C’est Sérieux Tantine
https://amf.didiermary.fr/passy-mermans-serieux-tantine/
Alphonse Mpassy, aka Passy Mermans, was a guitarist from Brazzaville’s legendary Orchestre Bantous. The song is a love letter to his fiancee, while he is far away in Alger for a concert.
Seigneur Tabu Ley Rochereau – Haffi Deo
https://amf.didiermary.fr/tabu-ley-rochereau-orchestre-afrisa-haffi-deo/
The title track of Tabu Ley‘s 1985 album “Haffi deo” is a daring crossover to a smoother boogie funk sound. Scattered among his discography which spans over 100 albums there are a few tunes that sound quite different from the usual rumba. […]
Kasai AllStars live
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kasai-allstars-live-2015/
Intoxicating trance music from the heart of Africa: Kasai Allstars live is a startling blend of tradition and urban.
I filmed them in July 2009 in Paris (Cabaret Sauvage) for my late blog KoToNTeeJ. Video is not that good, but the feeling and energy are visible. […]
Dr Nico, Tabu Ley & Afrisa
https://amf.didiermary.fr/dr-nico-tabu-ley-afrisa/
Rare video of Dr Nico performing in Zaïre with Tabu Ley Rochereau and his Afrisa International Orchestra. Probably from the early 1980s, direct from the vaults of WorldSrv.
There are unfortunately very few videos of Nico Kasanda, aka Docteur Nico and his divine guitar.
Kasai Allstars – Olooh, a War Dance for Peace
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kasai-allstars-olooh-war-dance-for-peace/
“Olooh, a War Dance for Peace” is a song from album “Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound“.
Congotronics Playlist on Spotify
https://amf.didiermary.fr/congotronics-playlist/
Listen to Kasai Allstars, Konono N°1, Staff Benda Bilili and more in my Congotronics playlist on Spotify (if you still use this platform – there’s a bandcamp link below, too).
Konono n°1 was founded over 25 years ago by Mingiedi, a virtuoso of the likembé (the traditional instrument sometimes called “sanza” […]
Konono n°1 playlist
https://amf.didiermary.fr/konono-congotronics/
Le style de Konono n°1, c’est tout un ensemble de rythmiques qui vous hypnotisent et vous amènent aux portes de la transe (pianos à pouces ou sanza/likembe, et percussions bricolés avec des morceaux de métal et des pièces de voitures recyclés) appuyées par […]
Zaïko Langa Langa - MBROUSS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN3s5Ru4QVc
50 years in the music industry! More than a band, a real school where talents were nurtured for years.
Fredy Massamba Feat. Tumi Molekane – Unity
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fredy-massamba-tumi-molekane-unity/
“Unity” is the first single from Makasi, the 2nd solo album by Fredy Massamba, released in 2013.
James Brown in Kinshasa (1974)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/james-brown-kinshasa-1974/
James Brown in Kinshasa? Yes, in 1974! James Brown, the Godfather on the stage for the “Soul Power” concert in Kinshasa in ’74 in a large extract from the documentary released as DVD in 2008. […]
Montparnasse Musique – Panter
https://amf.didiermary.fr/montparnasse-musique-panter/
Montparnasse Musique is a balance of two distinct sensibilities: Algerian-French producer Nadjib Ben Bella’s passion for raw organic beats, and South African DJ Aero Manyelo’s love of DIY synthesis in the digital realm. It’s a bold blend of fresh and processed flavours; the acoustic grit of traditional Africa combined with the pulse [...]
Sam Mangwana – Georgette
https://amf.didiermary.fr/sam-mangwana-georgette/
“Georgette Eckins” on album “Sam Mangwana et l’African All Stars” released in 1978, when the band was rising.
Pierre Kwenders – The Last Bantu Emperor
https://amf.didiermary.fr/pierre-kwenders-last-bantu-emperor-teaser/
Pierre Kwenders blends genres, cultures, and languages in his indie-Afro electro sound, merging Congolese rumba, pop, and electronica while singing in Lingala, French, English, Tshiluba, and Kikongo. His first album “Le Dernier Empereur Bantou” (the Last Bantu Emperor) was released in 2014.
Ngoma za Congo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi17S7Xb16A
Créé en 1999 par Léonard Baniekona, Ngoma Za Kongo ((Drums of the Kongo [Kingdom]) est un groupe congolais de musique et danse traditionnelles du Congo Brazzaville. Composé de nombreux artistes, tous fortement imprégnés de la tradition Kongo, le groupe a, depuis sa création, fait plusieurs tournées en Afrique, Europe, Etats-Unis d’Amérique et Asie.
Bibi Den’s – “The Best Ambiance”
https://amf.didiermary.fr/bibi-den-tshibayi-best-ambiance-kinshasa-abidjan-1982/
Kinshasa meets Abidjan in 1982, with Bibi Den’s Tshibayi and “The Best Ambiance”, released as a 12” single in the UK in 1984.
Bibi Denis Tshibayi was born in Luebo, in the Kasai Occidental province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre). He composed his first song at the age of 14, […]
Souzy Kasseya – Le Téléphone Sonne (1983)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/souzy-kasseya-telephone-sonne/
Early 80’s Classic Soukous with Souzy Kasseya (Kaseya Suzy Seyo Souza) and “Le Téléphone Sonne.”
Spotted by Joseph Kabasélé aka Grand Kallé, he joined the relaunch of African Team, a short-lived orchestra created in 1969 in Paris, that included at the time Jean-Serge Essous, Manu Dibango and many more. This talented and eclectic artist became […]
Madilu System – Mamou
https://amf.didiermary.fr/madilu-system-mamou-live/
Jean de Dieu Makiese (28 May 1950 – 11 August 2007), popularly known as Madilu System, was a Congolese rumba singer and songwriter.
However, it was not until Madilu teamed up with Franco, joining his TPOK Jazz in April 1980, that he became a Congolese and International star. He was described as the band’s “brightest […]
Ray Lema – Marabout (Lyolela)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/ray-lema-marabout-iyolela/
The song “Marabout” is from the album “Medecine” in 1984.
This track is referenced as having two drummers: Boffi Banengola and Tony Allen.
Dr Nico Kasanda – Bougie Ya Motema
https://amf.didiermary.fr/docteur-nico-kasanda-bougie-ya-motema/
Orchestre African Fiesta & Dr. Nico Kasanda – Bougie Ya Motema / Runeme Mama – “Surboum Africaine” 7″ in 1967.
Trump Cancels Lifesaving USAID Programs, Despite Pledge of 90-Day Review
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The axing of some 10,000 programs has consigned untold numbers of children and refugees to death, officials say. Documents and interviews reveal that the State Department appears to have made the cuts without the careful review it described in court.
#News #Trump #USAID #Rubio #Aid #Gaza #Syria #Congo #HIV #Ebola #USPolitics
“Indépendance Cha Cha” revisited by Baloji
https://amf.didiermary.fr/independance-cha-cha-baloji/
Shot in the “Bon marché” (Barumbu) neighbourhood, at the heart of Kinshasa, featuring the late Wendo Kolosoy’s backing band, “Indépendance cha-cha – Le jour d’après” is a new take on the African independence anthem written in 1960 by Joseph “Grand Kallé” Kabasele and Nicolas “Dr. Nico” Kasanda.
Requiem for a revolution
A sweeping, jazz-scored exploration of Cold War intrigue and African liberation, Johan Gimonprez’s 'Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat' lays bare the cultural and political battlegrounds where empires, artists, and freedom fighters clashed.
https://africasacountry.com/2025/01/requiem-for-a-revolution
Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin – Boum
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mamans-congo-rrobin-boum/
Les Mamans du Congo came into being in 2018 in Brazzaville as part of a project fusing dance with ancestral Kongo lullabies sung in Lari by the five mamans.
[…]
