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Rough
Guide to Manu Dibango World Music Network 2004, RGNET 1144
CD
A 13-track
CD compiled with input from the artist himself, showing the diversity
of his musicianship over 40 years - Manu himself calls it a disc
of many colours with the subtitle Afro-avant-garde. First
and foremost he plays sax but also marimba and vocals. His
most popular genres of makossa, funk, jazz, soul and groove are
all here. For a brilliant guide to Manu's music look no further!
Buy
now! |
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Voices
of South Africa, from National Geographic's Music Explorer
series, has 17-tracks documenting the rich history of South African
music. It gives a glimpse of the great variety of musical styles
going from the 1950s, through the apartheid years and on to the
current Rainbow Nation times, from the Manhattan Brothers to Ladysmith
Black Mambazo. Thus the CD features marabi, township jazz, kwela,
mbube, gospel, mbaqanga and kwaito. Buy
now! |
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Compilation
Congolese Soukous World Music Network 2000, RGNET 1050 CD
Twelve tracks from the
favourites Papa Wemba (Overdose), Franco & Sam Mangwana
(Cooperation), Kanda Bongo Man (Sai), Tabu Ley 'Rochereau'
(Sarah), Koffi Olomide (Loi), Déesse Mukangi
(La Vie), Yondo Sister (Bilanga). Includes a booklet
with notes by Graeme Ewens (Franco's biographer) and a bonus data
track from the Rough Guides on the music of Congo. Buy
now! |
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Kékélé
Rumba Congo Sterns Africa, 2001 STCD 1093
Eight veteran musicians,
Papa Noel, Jean-Papy, Syran, Nyboma, Djeskain, Bumba, Wuta-Mayi
and Yves, have collaborated to form the group Kékélé
for this 14-track CD. Broadly speaking, the songs are in the gentle,
much-loved rumba style but with a few differences: listen out for
violin on track 4! The last track, Likambo is rumba rock
with a more modern/upbeat flavour. Booklet gives a 6-page history
of Congolese music in both English and French. Buy
now! |
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Somo
Somo Ngobila Hello Hello Sterns Africa 1995, STCD 1065
The maringa/kebo beat revived
on 6 very accessible tracks. Lyrics and music by Mose Fan Fan. The
'Intrepid' Fan Fan, playing lead guitar on all tracks, is reunited
with vocalists 'Prince' Youlou Mabiala, Sam Mangwana and Saak Sakoul
'Sinatra', all of whom carry with them the musical history of Congo.
Wuta Mayi, Syran Mbenza and Miguel Yamba are amongst the prominent
musicians.
Buy
now! |
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Mose
Fan Fan Belle Epoque RetroAfric 1994, Retro 7CD
All songs composed and
arranged by Mose Fan Fan. This 'greatest hits' album has 10 tracks
from 3 different eras. 2 tracks were recorded back in 1970 in Kinshasa
during the time that Fan Fan was second lead guitarist to Franco,
4 in Dar es Salaam in 1979 when Fan Fan played with Orchestre Makassy
with Remi Ongala, and the rest in Nairobi, the final track being
the Kenyan version of Fan Fan's own theme song, Suki Pembe
Somo Somo. |
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Bana
O.K. Bakitani Stern's Africa 1993, STCD 1042
Produced by Mose Fan Fan.
Six tracks by saxophonist J.M. Rondot Kasongo wa Kasongo except
Kamolema by Fan Fan. Bana O.K. is a group of former
members of Franco's O.K. Jazz. 'Bakitani' means heritage. Through
this recording Bana O.K. recognise their valuable musical heritage.
Mose Fan Fan and Papa Noel are on guitars with Rondot Kasongo wa
Kasongo, Malange Delougendo and Baniel Mbambou on vocals. |
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Deyess
Little Goddess Sterns Africa 1992, STCD 1040
Seven rumba tracks, two
are instrumentals.
On this, her debut solo
album made at the age of 22, Déesse, described as honey-voiced
and angelic, is accompanied by top musicians providing enticing
Congolese rhythms and melodies. These tracks are irresistible
either for getting you up and dancing or sitting back and relaxing. |
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Bozi
Boziana & L'Orchestre Anti-Choc Bana Saint-Gabriel 1998,
SM 1197
Significantly, this CD was part of Bozi Boziana's KORA All-African
music award in 1999 (Central Africa category). There are 10 tracks,
featuring vocalists Evoloko Joker, Betty Bis Kindobika and Déesse
Mukangi accompanying Bozi, with Rigo Star on guitar and other prominent
Anti-Choc musicians. Enjoy, for example, the intense appeal of Tourment. |
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Papa
Noel Bel Ami Stern's African Classics 2000, STCD 3016
A compilation of 8 tracks, selected by Papa Noel himself, brought
out specially to coincide with and celebrate Papa Noel's 60th birthday,
Christmas Day 2000. There are 4 tracks from each of the albums Bon
Samaritain Edition Production I.A.D. Sound, Brazzaville 1984
and Haute Tension Produced by Maphis Mampoko & Alino-Matabisi
1994. A real gem. Features Wuta Mayi on vocals. All compositions
and arrangements by Papa Noel. Buy
now! |
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Compilation
Miguel Yamba presents Karamba Lusafrica 1998, 262622
Described as Rumba-Zouk-Soukous-Merengue-Salsa so whether you enjoy
the more Latin sound or the Congolese sound, there is something
for you here. Eleven tracks featuring Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba,
Déesse, Wuta Mayi and, of course, Miguel Yamba himself. Three
tracks are Miguel Yamba's compositions, titles such as Afrodiziak.
Buy
now! |
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Abdul
Tee-Jay's Rokoto E'Go Lef Pan You Tee-Jay Disque, 1997 TJFMS
7030-2 Eleven tracks of an amazing blend of high-life, Congolese
and traditional rhythms make this compulsive listening. Several
different languages can be heard also. The hauntingly beautiful
track,Taransis, is purely instrumental. Instruments such
as kongoma, balafon, kondi, drums and of course guitars are used
but above all Abdul Tee-Jay's distinctive voice shines through.
He was also the composer, arranger and producer. Buy
now! |
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Manu
Dibango Wakafrika Fnac Music Production 1994, BLM 001
CD Wakafrika (i.e. Walk Africa). This is a must-have album, very
significant - just look at the cover! Manu Dibango's project brings
together, on one CD, tracks by top star musicians Youssou N'dour,
Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Papa Wemba, Sinead O'Connor on classic
songs such as Homeless, Pata Pata and Wimoweh. Manu Dibango accompanies
all tracks and there are 2 by the Soul Makossa Band.
Buy
now! |
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Manu
Dibango Anthology Eagle Records 2000
Excellent value for money 3 CD boxed set with a total of 34
tracks, amounting to 3 hours and 15 minutes including Africadelic
(1960), Soul Makossa (1999), Bolingo City (1996),
Mouna Loba (1995). A great variety and extremely appealing
- just compare the beautifulOn Na Mba with Pepe Soup!
Still only covers a fraction of Dibango's prolific work. Booklet
with brief biographical notes. Buy
now! |
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Manu
Dibango Mboa' Su kamer feelin' Groupe JPS 2000,
JPS 64 Seven tracks, the most notable being Aye Africa (Le
Bucheron), a new arrangement of the classic song originally by Franklin
Boukaka from Congo. Manu Dibango performed this at the millennium
celebrations on Robben Island and his link to it goes back to 1970
as he accompanied Boukaka on the original recording. The track Big
Blow is a tribute to Fela Kuti.
Buy
now! |
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Franklin
Boukaka A Paris Sonafric 1970, CD 50048
With arrangements by Manu Dibango. An outstanding 12-track CD, seven
of which have gentle rumba rhythms. The most important are Le
Bucheron, Pont sur le Congo and Les Immortels.
Franklin sang the latter at the Pan-African Cultural Festival in
1969. Boukaka's beautiful voice with exquisite accompaniments from
guitar, piano, violin and saxophone without any backing vocalists
is a real ear-opener! |
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Angelique
Kidjo Black Ivory Soul, Sonyjazz, 2002 Angelique goes on
a musical pilgrimage exploring links with her homeland, Benin and
the Brazilian province of Bahia . She presents some soulful ballads
and a pleasing orchestration of strings on some tracks and, for
Okan Bale, Mamadou Diabate plays kora. There is great variety
on this CD but the unique sounds of Angelique's voice can still
be heard loud and clear: 'Afrika' stands out as a memorable anthem
and it is dedicated to Miriam Makeba. Buy
now! |
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Oliver
Mtukudzi vhunze moto Putumayo 2002, PUT 199-2 Nine
very compelling tracks of Oliver's compositions, on which he sings
and plays guitar using his own special beat, Tuku Music, from Zimbabwe.
He's joined by his band The Black Spirits and guest musicians include
Steve Dyer on saxophone and Paul Hanmer on piano. Booklet has lyrics
in Shona and English and many contain advice or proverbs.
Buy
now! |
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Baaba
Maal missing you (mi yeewnii) Palm Pictures, 2001
PalmCD 2067-2
Eleven tracks of traditional acoustic music by Baaba Maal, with
instruments including balafon and calabash. Prominent musicians
featured are Mansour Seck and Kante Manfila. Two very appealing
tracks, jamma jenngi and miyaabele (unite) feature
London Community Gospel Choir. The accompanying leaflet has stunning
photos and brief summaries of the lyrics in French and English.
Buy
now! |
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Souad
Massi Raoui Wrasse Records 2001, WRASS 061
All except one of the fourteen wonderful tracks are composed by
Souad. There are different styles in which Souad sings and
accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. Other instruments used are
oud and karkabou. Most lyrics are in Arabic but some are in French.
The enclosed booklet has all the lyrics printed in French. Track
10, J'ai pas de temps, is particularly poignant. Buy
now! |
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Sally
Nyolo Zaione Lusafrica 2002, 49362782 New and fresh but
typical Cameroonian colourful sounds from Sally Nyolo with guests
featuring Princess Erika and Suber. Sally presents 15 tracks,
her own compositions, mostly bikutsi rhythms but also blending
in a bit of reggae in some tracks, instruments such as the violin
on others. Printed booklet includes summaries of the tracks in
English and French, plus great photos of Sally! Buy
now! |
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Aster
Aweke Kabu Triple Earth 1991, terra cd 110
Eight tracks involving a large number of musicians including saxophonist
Ray Carless, and Roland Perrin on keyboards. Aster's voice is truly
unique. All the tracks are either Aster's own compositions or adaptations
of traditional songs such as Eyoha, traditionally sung by young
girls at the Ethiopian New Year as they give out daisies. The booklet
gives English translations of all the lyrics.
Buy
now! |
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Mose
'Fan Fan' The Congo Acoustic Triple Earth 1999, TRECD 119
Congolese rumba music featuring maestro guitarist Fan Fan on vocals
and acoustic guitar, Déesse Mukangi, vocals, Ray Carless
on saxophone, Francis Fuster on percussion, Douglas Munana on bass.
Eight mellow yet stunning acoustic tracks. All lyrics and music
by Fan Fan, Lyrics in Kiswahili/Lingala/KiKongo with English
and French translations. Two tracks are instrumentals, Lwambo
is a tribute to Franco. |
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