Please ask permission before lifting text and/or images! I have asked nicely; please respect my copyright. The net is about sharing knowledge and collective growth: it is not about intellectual property theft, though many folk seem to think so.

The 1970s through mid-80s was the era of Congolese expatriate bands in Nairobi: groups like Boma Liwanza of Shango Lola, Les Kinois of Samba Mapangala, Super Mazembe of Longwa Didos, and Les Mangelepa of Bwammy wa Lumwona (who had come East with Baba Gaston and Baba National). Those from North-East Congo came to Kampala, Uganda; those from Shaba in the South came to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, but sooner or later they headed to Nairobi for the recording studios there. In 1985 the Kenyan government under Daniel Arap Moi cracked down on expatriate bands and groups like Les Mangelepa were forced to leave or disband.

BABA GASTON

Baba Gaston was born on July 5, 1936 at Likasi, near Lubumbashi in Shaba Province, Eastern DR Congo. He changed his name from Ilunga Omer to Ilunga Chenji Kamanda wa Kamanda Gaston Omer after Mobutu decreed that Zaire nationals replace their Christian names with African ones.

He picked up his early musical training from a Greek pianist, Leonides Rapitis, and had a hit with "Barua kwa Mpenzi Gaston" while he was still in school. When he was 20 he formed the Baba National Orchestre, which he took on an extended tour through Zambia, Zimbabwe and several European countries before becoming one of the first Congolese musicians to settle in East Africa in the early 70s.

Evani Kabila Kabanze, who was later to star with Les Mangelepa, sang with Orchestra Baba Nationale in Lubumbashi. The band used to travel to Kinshasa to record. According to Kabanze, sometime in 1971, because of the poor roads in the Congo, they took the Kisangani route through Kilemi which lies on the Congolese border with Tanzania. But, instead of proceeding to Kinshasa, they decided to enter East Africa, having heard of the region's superb studios.

The band settled in Dar-es-Salaam for four years. They found it cheaper there and built a strong fan base. For recording they would cross the border and travel to Nairobi. But, four years later, in 1975, Baba Gaston decided to move the band to Nairobi when they realised they had an even bigger following there.

Congolese musicians have been making waves in Kenya since the late 1950s. It was the Congolese OS Africa Band that opened Nairobi's famous Starlight Club back in 1964. But it wasn't until the mid-1970s, after the passing of the American soul craze, that music from Zaire began to dominate the city nightclubs. As a composer and band leader, Baba Gaston was prominent in the music scene in Kenya for three decades, and is considered one of the godfathers of Kenyan pop.

He sang mostly in Swahili. His tunes were hugely popular and remain evergreen. "Kakolele Viva Christmas" (lead vocals by Kasongo Wakanema who later joined Super Mazembe) earned him a golden award, selling over 60,000 for Polygram. Other memorable hits were "Ilunga Ilunga," "Kai Kai," and "Mayasa." He rarely dabbled in politics, but a praise song for Mobutu in 1983 earned him a gold disc from the president.

Baba Gaston once proudly claimed he had played with more than 700 musicians and that his band was a virtual training school. There was another side to the statistic, however, as Hanz Kinzl, manager of Phonogram, the second biggest label in Kenya, has said, "Baba is an extraordinary person. He has this fatherly image on him, and I think it's quite genuine. In Africa you're wealthy if you have a big stomach. If you can show that you're a big man then you are also regarded as a rich man and an important personality. Which means that he takes the majority of whatever income his music provides him with, to the dissatisfaction of the band members. Consequently there is hardly any band in Nairobi and Kenya which has broken up as often as Baba's".

Mounting dissatisfaction for two years came to a head in July 1976 when several members including Bwami Walumona, Kasongo Wakanema, Evani Kabila Kabanze (vocalist/composer), Kalenga Nzaazi Vivi (vocalist/composer), Lutulu Kaniki Macky, and Twikale wa Twikale split from Baba Nationale to form Orchestra Les Mangelepa. Other splits led breakaway members to Bwambe Bwambe, Pepelepe, and Viva Makale.

Names that rose to prominence with Baba Gaston include Starzo ya Esta (the force behind Festival du Zaire), BadiBanga wa Tshilumba Kaikai (vocalist/composer, later with Les Mangelepa), Mukala Kayinda Coco, Jimmy Kanyinda, Aloni Vangu, Mukala wa Mulumba Bebe, Zainabu, Pepe Mato, Yassa Bijouley (now in Mombasa, Kenya), Lisasi Ebale Mozindo, Zengele Saida, William Tambwe Lokassa, Kasongo Fundi, Kazadi Mbiya Saleh wa Bambu, Medico Bwala, Lukangika Maindusa Moustang, Lumwamga Mayombo Ambassedeur, Mukala wa Mulumba, and Tshimanga Zadios.

A female vocalist who sang with Gaston was Nana Akumu wa Kudu. She is also remembered for her singing with Pepelepe in Nairobi before joining Franco and OK Jazz in the hit song "Mamou." She still performs in Brussels, backed by her husband Djo Mali and ex-Les Noirs guitarist Dieudos.

Other alumni, who have now died, include John Ngereza (who later led Les Wanyika until his death in February 2000), Shoushou (Tchou Tchou), Lutulu Kaniki Macky (a vocalist/composer), Bosho Kayembe Nyonga (who led Festival Libaku in Nairobi before his death), Tabu Nkotela Kiombwe (who died in Mombasa, Kenya, while in police custody on a theft charge).

Baba Gaston died on March 25, 1997, while living across the border in Tanzania, where he had moved since his retirement from the music scene in 1989. He is buried at the Lang'ata cemetery in Nairobi. A prolific musician and apparently also a prolific father.

collated by Paul Johnston from:
Peter Ingolo
Odindo Ayieko
Muttu Mondiya Mama: Music and Musicians in Eastern and Central Africa
Graeme Ewens: Africa O-Ye!, Da Capo, 1991
Douglas Paterson, "Kenya: The life and times of Kenyan pop" in The Rough Guide to World Music Vol 1 (Africa, Europe and the Middle East) by Simon Broughton, Mark Ellingham, Richard Trillo (Editors), London, Rough Guides, 1999

Disclaimer: I claim no credit for any of this writing. It is a collation from the sources mentioned above. If material from other sources has crept in it is unintentional. Please let me know so that I can give credit where it is due. (PMJ/20 Nov 2006). Edited by Peter Toll, 22 March 07.

BOMA LIWANZA

Peter Toll reports:

Jim Monimambo must have come to Kenya in the mid 1970s. He might have arrived there in 1975 with Kalombo Mwanza's Orch. Basanga, a band that also included Tabu Batchalinge Ogolla and Loboko Pasi who joined Orch. Boma Liwanza soon after getting to Nairobi. Apparently Orch. Basanga fell apart upon arrival because this is what Loboko Pasi said in an article in The Nation (June 17, 2006):

"I had heard about Franco's tours to Kenya and how he would attract crowds in Nairobi and Kisumu. I was very excited about the tour. I had also heard that Nairobi was the London of East Africa, the land of milk and honey. If I couldn't get to London, I told myself, Nairobi would do," adds Pasi.
¶ The tour was to take Orchestra Basanga through Uganda and Tanzania followed by a grand performance in Nairobi before returning home. So after a rather lukewarm reception in Uganda and a low-key performance in Tanzania, the band, led by Kalombo Mwanza, set out for Nairobi. However, somewhere along the way, internal rifts developed over money after the tour's sponsor took off with the little cash that had been realised.
¶ "That was a trying time for me. I was among the band's youngest members, it was my first foreign tour and there we were, splitting. I wondered how I would find my way back home with no money," recalls Pasi.
¶When they got to Nairobi, the band split up and it was every man for himself. With no tools of trade, no person to turn to, Pasi wandered in the streets of Nairobi, hoping to meet a Congolese who he would share his problems with.
¶"I did not even have a guitar to perform on the streets to raise money for food".
¶For almost a month, Pasi had to beg to survive. The paradise in Nairobi was elusive.
¶"It was not London to me any more. There was no milk, no honey, not even bread crumbs. I was starving, I needed something to do to get food," recalls Pasi.
¶After knowing his way around town, Pasi joined a Congolese band by the name Boma Liwanza.
"I just introduced myself and they allowed me to perform with them although they doubted my abilities. I proved myself and they accepted me officially," he says.

In the mid 1970s Monimambo became a singer with Boma Liwanza and a popular one. In 1976 he even started to record with his own band Special Liwanza - which was probably just a studio band made up of members of Boma Liwanza. It seems Jim was still with Boma Liwanza in 1979 when he wrote one of their big hits, "Milimani".

However, around the same time he also started performing with George Kalombo Mwanza's new band Viva Makale and that's where he sang with a Zairean artist who had just returned from Tanzania, Moreno Batambo. Soon after, the two started a new band, Shika Shika, but unfortunately, Moreno wanted to be his own boss, so he moved within a year to form Moja One. I believe Orch. Shika Shika was formed in 1980, the year Moreno's "Maisha Ya Mjini" was recorded.

MONIMAMBO, LOVY & MORENO:
ORCHESTRA SHIKA SHIKA

Shika Shika released an album on the Hit Parade label in 1982 and two more in 1983, and produced a slew of singles on different labels. "Tika na lela (Leave & weep)" by Lovy is one of their greatest songs: it became their catch-phrase. They quote the lyrics often, and reprise it musically in both "Massa" and "Ma-Sofia." Among those who leave and weep in this latter version are Samba Mapangala. Their other hits included "Sisili," "Amba," & "Inyo" (according to Phil Bunce in Issue 3 of SONGA! magazine which included a cassette of "Amba").

Among the singers of Shika Shika were Monimambo Jim (who died circa 2002 in Dar-es-Salaam), Vicky "Lovy" Longomba (1957-96) and Moreno Batamba (1955- October 1994).

Monimambo was also known as Jimmy Monimambo Mfumu Ntoto, the honorific means "King of the Earth" in the Ki-Kongo language (Maquis du Zaire did a song called "Mtukwao" with the lyric "Monimambo ooooh!"). He has most songwriting credits. Monimambo is a surname in Angola; it is also the name of a pan-Kongo trickster spirit! Jimmy was born in Kinshasa of Angolan parents. Many Angolans migrated to the Congo basin in search of work. Sam Mangwana also had Angolan roots. In addition to Shika Shika, Monimambo wrote and performed with Special Liwanza, Boma Liwanza, and Viva Makale of Kalombo Mwanza George. Other bandmates in Shika Shika included Bwami Walumona & Kasongo Kanema formerly of Baba Nationale, and later of Les Mangelepa, Lawi Somona, plus Sammy Mansita, guitarist Mwalimu Siama Matuzungidi, and drummer Lava Machine, who were together in Virunga. Monimambo and Longomba also recorded with studio bands Orchestra Mos Mos and Orchestra Pole Pole. Guitarist Chery Matumona left in 1981 to go to Uganda & Zambia; he now lives in Canada.

Siama Matuzungidi was guitarist with the Cavacha band in Kinshasa in the 70's (The Cavacha was a dance later popularized by Zaiko Langa Langa). Cavacha was formed by Dona Mobeti (tenor voice) and Mopero (baritone). Siama's first composition for them was called "Bomoto mabasi." "Mopero split and formed Orchestre Cavacha de Mopero which led to a conflict. Finally Franco intervened and told Mopero to get a new name. Vicky Shama Shama was Mopero's girlfriend so he chose that as the name of the band (and it's also a song title by Cavacha de Mopero). Shama Shama was formed from Cavacha members as Mopero Wa Maloba was the Cavacha singer." Siama recalls: "Now I can see all the sin we lived with at that time, it was fun! Mopero died in west Africa in 2008, very sad. Shama Shama band got divided just before the Uganda trip; Mopero got new musicians and went to Uganda and then the band broke up again -- that's why KoKo Zigo convinced me to fly to Uganda and form Kombe Kombe in 1978 with Koko Zigo as the singer. We moved to Kenya as Kombe Kombe and we were given a contract at Garden Square in Nairobi to form a new band by the name Viva Makale, but Koko Zigo kept the name Kombe Kombe for our private recordings."
Siama recalls: "At the beginning of Viva Makale the band was:

George Kalombo Mwanza/saxophone and vocal
Buami Walumona/lead guitar
Chery Matumona/lead guitar
Siama Matuzungidi/rhythm guitar
Tabu Frantal/guitar
Thomy Kabea Lomboto/bass guitar
Coco Zigo/vocal
Moreno Batamba/vocal
Jimmy Monimambo/vocal
Tambwe Mandola/vocal
Tshamusoke/trumpet
Lava Machine/drums

Jimmy Monimambo/vocal
Siama Matuzungidi/guitar
Chery Matumona/lead guitar
Tabu Frantal/lead guitar
Lovy Longomba/vocal
Dago Mayombe/vocal
Manitcho/bass
Silu Waba Nsilu/bass in some songs
Lava Machine/drums

Almost the same musicians used to record in Moja One of Moreno Batamba: it depended who Moreno wanted to use because in the old days Moja One and Shika Shika were not performing just studio recording."

Peter Toll adds: the formation which arrived in Kampala in 1974 was fronted by singers Djodjo Ikomo and Fataki Lokassa, both former members of Orch. Tabou National, a band that was founded by Tony Dee Bokito in 1970. After Tony Dee moved to Mbandaka in 1972, several musicians left the band and Ikomo started working with Orch. Veve with whom he recorded his 1973 song "Maina" (Veve 159). Ikomo was also one of the founders of Orch. Bana Modja with whom he released his compostion "Mayatu" (1974).
Other members of Bana Moja were bass player Manitcho and guitarist Roxy Tshimpaka (ex-Thu Zaina). During their stay in Uganda the group produced a few records that were later released as 45 RPMs on the African label:
African 90853 - Mayatu Pt 1 & 2 (Ed. Bana Moja, later redone for the LP "Maya Tu", KR 1007).
African 90984 - Azonga / Koyoka koyoka (Ed. Bana-Moja 02)
African 90985 - Okei kolakate nika / Na bangi makambo (Ed. Bana-Moja 03)
African 90986 - Mabaku Pt 1 & 2 (Ed. Bana-Moja 04)

In 1975, Bana Moja moved to Nairobi, where a number of musicians regrouped under the name Bana Ngenge. Unfortunately, the band split the following year, with Ikomo and Moreno leaving to join Les Noirs. Meanwhile, Fataki Lokassa travelled with a remnant of Bana Ngenge to Tanzania where the band finally collapsed.

The music Bana Ngenge recorded was released in Kenya on a label called Bana Moja. So, although Bana Moja didn't exist as a band from 1975 on (that is, until Ikomo's return to Zaire in the early 1980s), the name still continued as a record label. Apparently, in the old days quite a number of musicians were selling and licensing recordings and running their own label. For example see the many 45 RPMs on Editions Ntimbo by Orch. Sentima, Top Forum & Festival du Zaire. And also Coco Zigo had his own label, Editions Zigo, that released Orch. Bangambo, Shama Shama & Bansomi Lay Lay.

After the split up of Bana Ngenge in 1976, Fataki Lokassa moved to Tanzania and carried on with other members of the group for a short while. In 1978 Fataki returned to Nairobi where he joined Les Kinois (later Virunga). He died on Dec 11, 2006 in Dar-Es-Salaam. Peter Toll adds: "As for Ikomo, he left Kenya in 1980 and moved back to Zaire. With a new Orch. Bana Modja he made some recordings for the Kinerama label (LP Maya Tu, KR 1007 [1982]) but by the mid 1980s, he had joined Franco's OK Jazz. He later ended up in Empire Bakuba."

"As for the name change Bana Moja / Bana Ngenge -- I think this really had to do with the person in charge. With Fataki the band was called Bana Ngenge, with Ikomo it was Bana Moja."

Note: Les Noirs had the following personnel on their self titled Pathé-Marconi LP:
Vocals: N'Dala Mobangi
Saxophone: N'Talu Nkatu
Drums, Tumba: Mukaputu Kalembi
Band manager, drums: Teka Seke Chuza Kabaselle Mbawo Mutella
Guitar/Vocal: Makwanzi Duki
Singer: Hassan Omari
Vocalist: Kuka Mwana Bitala
Saxophone: Ndongo Amani
Band Leader: Kalonzi Braink

While it is classic Congolese rhumba, sung in Lingala, the album opens in English with a salute to Kenyan fans and a "Viva Mobutu" and "Viva Kenyatta." This would make them one of the first Congolese bands to hit Kenya, probably in the mid-70s.

Tabu Frantal, Lifenya Lorri and Mandefu wa Mandefu were also band members of Shika Shika. The latter wrote their hit "Bibi moke." Tabu Frantal released "Helena" on the Hudson label with Orchestre Malekesa du Zaire. Nsilu wa Bansilu Manitcho (who was in Japan, but is now back in Kenya, doing Gospel music) of Bana Ngenge was also in the band, occasionally playing bass: he's name-checked in the song "Tina." Siama Matuzungidi was the rhythm guitarist. Born in the Congo in 1953, he grew up at a Jesuit school where he had unlimited access to the music room. Inspired by Bavon Marie Marie, he started playing guitar with Orchestre Cavacha in 1971. In 1975 he was with Orchestre Bibicha until 1978 when he quit Kinshasa for Kampala, Uganda, where he joined Kombe Kombe. He recalls: "Coco Zigo took me to Uganda and we formed Kombe Kombe band; this was in 1978. The same year Lovy Longomba joined us in Kombe Kombe; and Kanda Bongo Man came with Bella Mambo band. We played in the same club Monday to Friday. We kind of mixed the two bands together and lived in the same house -- all of us together for maybe a year. We moved to Kenya in 1979 with Coco Zigo, while others went back to Zaire. In Kenya the first band was called Viva Makale: we played at the Garden Square which was ruled by Buami Walumona and George Kalombo and then from there musical life in Nairobi began." Siama, who was given the name "Mualimu" or Teacher because of his skill on the guitar, also played with Orchestra Shika Shika until 1980 when he was a founding member of Moja One. He remembers: " I composed "Sisili" and "Rebeca" with Shika Shika band. With Moja One I contributed ideas, composed, and played rhythm guitar parts." He was also in Virunga then Ibeba System for five years (1981-85), including a three-year stint in Tokyo. After playing with Losaka in 1994 and Shangoya (1995-2004) Siama started Marimba Africa in Minneapolis, where he now lives.

Coco Zigo Mike sang with Viva Stars in Kenya and later formed Losaka la Musica. He died in a Nairobi hospital in August 1998.

Guitarist Tabu Frantal (from Kisingani, Zaire where he played with Orchestre Succès Le Peuple) formed Boma Liwanza in 1972, with former members of Orchestre Revolution. They toured East & Central Africa frequently and ended up in Nairobi, touring the Indian Ocean islands and Madagascar. In 1981 Boma Liwanza dissolved and Frantal starred with Shika Shika until their dissolution two years later. In 1984 he helped form Vundumuna (out of the break-up of Virunga), which featured his pal Nsilu Wa Bansilu who had gone from Boma Liwanza to Shika Shika with him. Sammy Kasule was another member of Vundumuna, as was keyboardist Botango Bedjil, a.k.a. B.B. Mo-Franck. Vundumuna was the top band in Kenya for two years. In 1987, B.B. Mo-Franck took Vundumuna to Japan for a six month contract, making them the first purely African band to play live in Tokyo. Drummer Lava Machine died in December 2005 while still living in Japan. Tabu Frantal also collaborated with vocalist Lessa Lessan (ex-African Fiesta Sukisa), who went on to form Orchestre Popolipo. Frantal has started a new Orchestra Vundumuna in Nairobi in 2006.

-- Alastair Johnston, with additions from Siama Matuzungidi, Cheeku Bidani, Ethan Bloomberg, Douglas Paterson & Peter Toll; & The World of African Music Vol 2 by Ronnie Graham.

DISCOGRAPHY

Bana Ekanga

45s:

Nziki-Nziki 1 & 2 (CBS Linga 12) ca. 1980-81
Haraka Haina baraka [Nanu Akumu] Eds Shika-Shika SKA003
Liwa ya mama Tabu 1 & 2 (ASL 2292) 1981

Bana Moja (a.k.a. Bana Modja)

The Kin-based band, known as the Belgicains because they all studied in Belgium, formed in the early 80s included:
Boutié (tenor)
Dada Akoma (bass; later with Langa Langa Stars)
Gérard (harmony singer)
Petit Mando (drums)
Elvis Kunku (2nd guitar; later with Empire Bakuba)

45s:
Bona
Maya tu 1 & 2 (Ed. Bana Moja, later redone for the LP "Maya Tu", KR 1007; reissued African 90853)
Azonga / Koyoka koyoka (Ed. Bana-Moja 02; reissued African 90984)
Okei kolakate nika / Na bangi makambo (Edi. Bana-Moja 03; reissued African 90985)
Mabaku 1 & 2 (Ed. Bana-Moja 04; reissued African 90986)
Miseminga
Londia (Kina Rama 2)
Munsi b/w Manz (EMI/Pathe PEA215)

Bana Ngenge

45:

Bo moto Manytsho (Musiki du Zaire mz7-102) 1976
Cherie Flora [Ingange Ikomo Jojo]
Cherie Peter
Etisomba [Fataki Lokassa] Bana Moja BANA 13
Kayumba [Ingange Ikomo Jojo]
Kombe kombe [Ingange Ikomo Jojo]
Kolokota [Fataki Lokassa] Eds BABU 012
Lobe lobe [Fataki Lokassa] Bana Moja BANA 9
Malanda [Fataki Lokassa] Bana Moja BANA 14
Msema Kweli Baba [Fataki Lokassa] Eds JACA JRP12
Mwajuma [Zengele Saida]
Nzela ya Mombasa Wakuze [Mandala Muissa] (Musiki du Zaire MZ100) (p)1975 Bokuku
Omanga [Fataki Lokassa] Tobina Editions TON16

Bana Ngenge Stars Popote
Dunia Imelaaniwa 1 & 2 Universal Sounds USD005

Mange-Ngenge Orchestre

Sugar Mami [] Editions Ba-Ba EB12 (1977)
Aori 1 & 2 [Mukala Coco] Editions Ba-Ba EB13

Boma Liwanza & Special Liwanza

Personnel (1972-81):
Lola Shango, leader
Tabu Frantal, guitar, founder
Christopher Eshu, founder
Nsilu wa Bansilu, bass
Monimambo Jim, vocals
Lovy Longomba, vocals
Kikuni "Mbongo Pasi" Bercky
Tabu Batchalinge Ogolla
Loboko Pasi
Boli

LPs:
Boma Liwanza: Kibush Mambo (cbs africa jslp003) see image at top of page

A:
Back to Africa
Mono (Mbongo Pasi - Bercy)
Sina Mambo 1 (Kikuni-Bercky-Mbongo Pasi)
B:
Boma Liwanza Special (Instrumental)
Sina Mambo 2 (Kikuni-Bercky-Mbongo Pasi)
Bilobela (Kikuni - Mbongo Pasi)

Boma Liwanza, the International Orchestra: The Sounds of Africa (JET STAR jslp...)

A:
Mono 1 & 2 (Mbongo Pasi - Bercy)
Sina Mambo 1 & 2 (Kikuni-Bercky-Mbongo Pasi)
B:
Bilobela 1 & 2 (Kikuni - Mbongo Pasi)
Masua Mabe

Boma Liwanza 45s:
Baruti - Somo SM7-8001 1973
Masua Mabe
Lisolo Ya Ndako / Mbanda Tubi - Somo SM7-8002 (1973)
Nakoka Te / Mwana Mobali - Somo SM7-8006 (1973)
Atosha Na Furaha / Tumbamado - Somo SM7-8010 (1973)
Catharine Obebisi / Omeka Tembe - Somo SM7-8011 (1973)
Ma Bibi / Mary Akinyi (AFRICA AFR7-47 1973)
Zala serieux 1 & 2 (AFRICA AFR 7-48 1973)
Milimani - ASL 3376 (March 1979)
Miwela wela 1 & 2 - ASL 3378 (Nov. 1979)
Bridgita 1 & 2 - ASL 3386 (1980)
Jera Inn 1 & 2 [Kikuni, Mbongo, Pasi] Jera Inn GOO 001

Special Liwanza 45s:
Vicky 1976 (editions ba-ba eb1)
Towumelite 1976 (editions ba-ba eb7-2)
Kanai 1977 (editions ba-ba eb8)
Ayoma 1976 (editions ba-ba eb9)
Elisa Warimo 1977 (editions ba-ba eb10)
Maria Chantale 1977 (editions ba-ba eb11)
Mama Fefe [Monimambo Jim] editions Mwana Mama MM16
Masasu [Monimambo Jim] editions Mwana Mama MM17
Elisa [Monimambo Jim] editions Mwana Mama MM22
Mwale [Tabu Saidi "Ogalah"] Golden Toddy; also City Boom CB1
Zumba [Monimambo Jim] editions Mwana Mama WEM5
Sue Iko [Tabu Atchatchambala] Editions Chris CJ 015

Liwanza Komecha

Juliana 1 & 2 (Lifenya Lorri & Liwanza Komecha) Eds BABU 006
Ayoma 1 & 2 Eds BABU 005
Liongela 1 & 2 () Eds BABU 0080

Bwambe Bwambe and Super Bwambe

LP:

MAMA YA LEKI (CBS LINGA LP 001 1980)
A1: Nya Siaya (Terry) [Kayembe Nyonga]
2: Fatia [Kayembe Nyonga]
B1: Mama ya leki pts 1 & 2 [Kayembe Nyonga]
B2: Maria-Fellia [Luboya wa Tshiteyai]

Liner notes: Orchestre Super Bwambe was formed in February 1977 by [singer] Kayembe Nyonga and Luboya wa Tshiteyai. Kayembe Nyonga was born on 19 January 1945 in Lubumbashi, Zaire. He has been a member of several bands such as VILE KITE JAZZ, SUPER BELLA and BABA ILUNGA WA ILUNGA. He is pleased to present his new LP which is titled "Mama ya Leki" on CBS Records. Kayembe with his group SUPER BWAMBE BWAMBE signed with CBS Records in January 1980. [Doug Paterson]

Super Bwambe 45:

Nya Siaya 1 & 2 [Kayembe Nyonga] Linga LNG 001 1980
Councillor 1 & 2 (single on Editions Chris cassette)
Atikapo [Kalombo Mwanza] Editions Chris CHRIS 15
Akinyi wa Homa Bay 1 & 2 (Eds CHRIS 24)
Salongo 1 & 2

Baba Gaston

Liner notes (courtesy of Alan Wheeler): At last PHONOGRAM (KENYA) Ltd has come out with Something Special -----something which has long been awaited. This Long Play by Orchestre Baba National should have been as ordinary as any other LP released in this country, but it is not.
This LP is special for obvious reasons: the music is of high quality and in the tradition of Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga "Gaston" himself who is noted for his tremendous sense of perfection: This LP has been made more special in the sense that most of the tracks have never been released before. You will enjoy the super hits like Mbula ya basi, Mapenzi ya Peremende, Mama Bana & Magenlepa and many more.
Besides the high quality of music -- not forgetting the best quality of recording -- there are other important factors which make this LP to be even more Special.
It does also commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Orchestre Baba National and 40th Anniversary of Baba Ilunga himself. And it is also the first LP by Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga in East Africa....
He was born 5th July 1936 at Likasi -- about 100 kilometers east of Lumbumbashi, the capital of Shaba Province in the Republic of Zaire. His main interest in music was prompted by the church choir.
When he was nine years old, Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga was a member of the Roman Catholic Church Choir at Likasi and Lumbumbashi and he attributes his initial success in music to his first teacher -- Joseph Kiwele -- who composed so many religious songs in Shaba Province in the early fifties.
Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga became a professional musician between 1951 and 1952 when he joined an all-white group -- the Orchestre de la Sabene -- in Lumbumbashi.
It is while in this orchestra when he composed what was to become his famous hit -- Baba Gaston. Baba Ilunga wa Ilunga owes his success in the field of profession music to his late Greek teacher -- Leonidas Rapitis -- who was a noted composer and pianist in the Republic of Zaire.
Rama Athumani, Taifa Weekly, Nairobi, 10th January, 1976.

GREATEST HITS VOL 2 (POLP 933)

SAFARI (ASLP 1006 1985)
A: Nazonga mboka
Safari ya Tanzania
B: Nyongo mpenda watu
Que sera sera

BRUXELLES A BUTEMBO ASLP 983 (1983)
A.1. Bruxelles a Butembo
2. Okozua Nini
B.1. Lengema Big Manager
2. Vituko Vya Harusi

CONDITION BI-MSUM ASLP 971 (1983)
A.1. Ekelekele
2. Hello Hello
B.1. Rudi Nyumbani Africa
2. Condition Bi-Msum
This LP was recorded at Studio Minzoto (Zaire) with singer Stazo Ya Esta (= Starzo ya Esta, Stazo Ya Estha). I assume Baba Gaston recorded this album with Kinshasa musicians during a trip to Zaire. [Peter Toll]

Baba National 45s:

Baba Gaston & Orch Tchondo National "Kalai" pts 1 & 2 YAHOOS YS001
Orch Tchondo Nationale "Mwambusa" [Evanika] YAHOOS YS002

Cassettes:
Amisi Omonelinga
Nyongoo Mpenda Watu

CDs:
Greatest Hits vol 1 (Tamasha) probably recorded in Congo 1970
1. Marie Clara
2. Caesar ya Maobi [sic] i.e. Caesar Moyibi
Ngai mwana nazongi [vocals by Starzo ya Estha]
3. Lolo Twisonge
4. T.P. Engelbert
5. Lofundu ya pamba
6. Mboka mopaya pasi
7. Wa Ngoya
*Muddy sound. See my review on Music of Congo page 3.

Baba Gaston: Baba Ilunga Ilunga & Ngai Nabeleli (Tamasha)
1. Kai Kai 4'40
2. Ngai Nabeleli 8'38
3. Winnie 9'01
4. Ilunga wa Ilunga 8'36
5. Baba Gaston 3'39
6. Rudi Shambani a.k.a. Safari ya Tanzania 8'27
7. Qui Sera Sera 9'12
8. Africa au Zaire 8'47
* Note: Beware of a mislabelled version of this CD available from various download sites such as Amazon and Limewire. It is actually a Negro Sucèss album. I have listed the track times above to help in identification.

Grand Piza

45s:
Napemi 1 & 2 (Bana Moja BANA 17)
Bokila 1 & 2 (Bana Moja BANA 27)
Fouati 1 & 2 (Bana Moja BANA 28)
Naleli Mama 1 & 2 (Bana Moja BANA 29)
Muana Mawa
Kisangani 1 & 2 (Diabim 8)
Keba na zuwa (Diabim 12)
Ombatela 1 & 2 (Diabim 13)
Yo Zairois ngai Zairoise 1 & 2 (Diabim 17)

Muana Mawa
(CD from Melodica Cassette?)
1. Mwana mawa pt 1
2. Mwana Mawa pt 2
3. Koliya mpesa
4. Bana Moja
5. Bona
6. Mama alobi na bala
7. Mbomoko Mobayi
8. Makuela
9. Etisomba
(This last cut is by Bana Ngenge, don't know what it's doing on here.)

Les Jaca

Adija Adisi [Lovy]
Christmas 1 & 2 (Eds Tobina TON 31)
Sakii [Frantal Tabu] Tobina TON21
Shemeji (Eds Bana-Likasi BAS 5)

Les Kinois

Personnel:
Samba Mapangala - Band Leader and lead vocalist;
Pele Ondindia - Assistant Band Leader, Bass Guitarist and vocalist;
(Iliko) Madjo Maduley - Assistant Band Leader and vocalist;
Bedjo Mikombi - lead (Soloist);
Bibiley Kabakaba - Assistant Lead (Soloist);
Okelo Josse - rhythmnist;
Niki Djo - Bass and (lead-solo) Pop Music;
Faustao Temopele, the dynamic (Drummer) boy;
Kasule Mopepe, Tumba (Kongas).
"All members of Les Kinois come from Kinshasa (Zaire) besides Kasule Mopepe from Uganda and Okelo Josse from Kenya." [DP]

Achieng [Pele Ondindia] Editions les Kinois LK008
Ami Abouma (Linga 13)
Ba-Boka (Lake Victoria LAS 3046; also Super Musiki du Zaire SMZ001) 1978
Cherie Nata (Eds. Les Kinois LK009)
East Africa (Musiki du Zaire MZ21)
Fwaya (Editions Chris 16)
Furaha ya Christmas [Diabanza; Niki; Djo] (Eds. Les Kinois LK006)
Lisano (Musiki du Zaire MZ22)
Malako (Eds Les Kinois LK001)
Mother-Father (ASL 3387 1980)
Semeki-Siama (Eds. Les Kinois LK005)
Sunday 1 & 2 [Madjo; Madule] (Eds Les Kinois LK004)
Susana (Samba Mapangala SAM001)
Taabu ya Masikini (Editions les Kinois LK12)
Toweli nini (City Boom CB11)
Yena oboyi libala (Editions Chris 21)

MALAKO DISCO ORIGINAL (CD from Melodica in Nairobi, which has applause grafted on):
Malako
Mwana Mboko
Blanche Christmas
Sunday
Sigana Maronyango

Coco Zigo on the mike, courtesy of Siama Matuzungidi

L'orchestre Kombe Kombe

45:

Mimi 1 & 2 [Koko] Eds Matunda ANA 003
Nyako-Nzanzi 1 & 2 (Koko Mike "M") VMS-1
Saba Saba 1 & 2 (Koko Mike "M") VMS-2
Sau-Sauda 1 & 2 (Coco Zigo Mike) AIT EIT-03
Souzy Body 1 & 2 (Eds Sapato/CBS CCE-1)

Lifenya Lorri & Liwanza Komecha
See under Special Liwanza

Lovy Longomba

LOVY 2 (LVLP411):
Mete (Lovy)
Lomama (Lovy)
B: Annie
Eli

(In "Lomama," sung in Lingala, we hear a namecheck for Felix [Jacomo, the producer of Super Lovy and Super Mazembe], then Boka, Massamba Maquis & Dialu Kila (who were the consular staff and Ambassador of Zaire at the time), Misele, Monimambo, Pierrot, Eddy, Lava Machine, & Lovy. They also quote the songs "Mado Zaina" & "Tika na lela." Sammy & Manitcho get a shout-out in "Annie.") Other band members were Chery Matumona (lead guitar), Bibiley (guitar), Siama (guitar), Lawi Somana (sax), Manitcho (bass guitar), Jackino or Jacky (singer) and Shabani on drums.

Nelly
Lela
2: Pital
Keba-yo

Liner notes: Produced by Felix Jacomo (G.A.)
LOVY MOKOLO LONGOMBA
Since the early days with Super Mazembe, LOVY has always been a fantastic and prolific composer -- remember "Lovy," "Yo mabe," "Ndeko," "Nanga," Mokana" and "Elena."
The Lovy voice too is something special and has an unmistakeable sound that just cannot be copied by any other Lingala artist, no matter how hard they may try. This has given LOVY a special fan club, and for those fans, here are more of the HOT AND HIGH SOUNDS OF LOVY.

Bana Likasi

Lovy with Orchestre Super Lovy

45s:
(From Muttu Mondiya Mama on Julian Thorpe's page; and big thanks to Rufus, Doug, Tim, and the gang)

Aya 1 & 2 (eds LOVY 06)
Bilangwela (Eds Suplov 5)
Elee 1 & 2 (eds LOVY 01)
Eli (Eds LOVY 05)
Etali Yomoko (12" UK single on Swahili Records 12 SWAH 001 1983)
Fatuma 1 & 2 (Lovy Longomba Mokolo) Eds Suplov SUPLOV010
Jose
Keba-yo 1 & 2 (eds LOVY 07)
Lovy Manicho
Mali Ya Baba
Mokili 1 & 2 (Eds LOVY 02)
Nairobi
Obaye Ngai / Emeda (ASL 3259 1971)
Salima
Talaka
Umasikini sio kilema 1 & 2 (eds LOVY 03)
Ye Ye Ye (eds LOVY