Thursday, December 29, 2016

Ambiance Congo: December 25, 2016

WELCOME!
I don't recall ever having to present this program on Christmas Day before. In an attempt to find some "seasonal" music, I pored through all kinds of resources and finally asked friends on Facebook for suggestions.
Ken Braun of Stern's Music suggested a program tracing the career of a musician born on December 25, 1940: Antoine Nedule Monswet aka Papa Noel. What a great idea to honor a living artist with a program dedicated to his long and illustrious career. Thanks, Ken!
Papa Noel is one of Congolese music's great guitarists and has been in some of the greatest bands ever. He worked with Leon Bukasa in the 1950s. He joined Les Bantous de la Capitale, Rock A Mambo, Vox Africa and African Jazz in the 60s and 70s and was featured in T.P. O.K. Jazz in the late 70s into the 80s.
I hope you'll enjoy this small selection of the music of Papa Noel!

Listen here:
https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJWZ28zQzN1Yk05WThUQw
or here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=Ambiance%20Congo&nav=&

Tracks:


 PART A
1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

 
2) Leon Bukasa
BIBI SULTANI
from the CD NGOMA, THE EARLY YEARS, 1948-1960
Popular African Music

3) Leon Bukasa
KALALA BADI MWENE
from the CD BANKOLO MIZIKI ANTHOLOGIE VOLUME 1
Ngoyarto

4) Rock A Mambo
MARIA VALENTE
from the CD AFRICAN PEARLS CONGO: RUMBA ON THE RIVER
Syllart Productions

5) Rock A Mambo
PANCHITA
from the LP AFRICAN RETRO VOL. 5: ROCK A MAMBO
Pathe Marconi/EMI

6) Joseph Kabasele & l’African Jazz
BB 69
from the CD LE GRAND KALLE: HIS LIFE, HIS MUSIC
Stern’s Africa

7) Bantous Jazz
LE 2eme WHISKY
from the LP LES MERVEILLES DU PASSE (1962-1964) BANTOUS JAZZ
African

8) Les Bantous
PARIS-BRAZZA
from the LP L’ORCHESTRE CONGOLAIS LES BANTOUS
Soukous

9) Les Bantous de la Capitale
MOMO
from the LP LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE
Sonafric

10)Vox Africa
ALADJI BABA
from the CD THE BEST OF VOX AFRICA, JEANNOT BOMBENGA: LA BELLE EPOQUE
Tam-Tam Africa

11) Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz
TANGAWUSI
from the CD TRES FACHE
Sonodisc

12) Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz
MOBALI MALAMU
from the CD FRANCO ET LE T.P O.K JAZZ 1980-1981
Sonodsic

 
13) Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz
MANDOLA
from the LP LE QUART DE SIECLE DE FRANCO DE MI AMOR ET LE T.P. O.K. JAZZ VOL
Edipop Production

14) Simaro Lutumba Massiya
AFFAIRE KITIKWALA
from the CD MAYA: L’ALBUM DES ALBUMS
Ngoyarto/Solfege Universel Productions

15) L’Orchestre Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz
TONTON ZALA SERIEUX
from the CD HERITAGE DU GRAND MAITRE
Sans Frontieres

 
16)Papa Noel
BON SAMARITAIN
from the LP NONO
Ets. Kaluila

17)Papa Noel et le Duo Incomparable Carlyto Lassa & Wuta Mayi
MOTEMA SOSO
from the CD HAUTE TENSION
Production Les Mampoko’s

18) Sam Mangwana
MALOBA
from the CD GALO NEGRO
Putumayo

19)Kekele
BANINGA
from the CD RUMBA CONGO
Stern’s Africa

Monday, December 12, 2016

Ambiance Congo: December 11, 2016

WELCOME! 
All vinyl today, great music from the 70s and 80s. Today there are a number of tracks that feature Master Mwana Congo on guitar, including the great song by Didi Raphael Louvila and J. Mpouki Kimbolo with which we start the program. Other favorites of mine in here include Sam Mangwana's ASTRIDA N'DE, the songs by Youlou Mabiala and by Nguashi-N'Timbo as well as Yenga-Yenga's AMOUR, MALADIE UNIQUE.

Listen here:
https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJWZGlpSWVIcWVHR3NUQw
or here:

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=Ambiance%20Congo&nav=&

Tracks:
PART A
1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

 
2) Didi Raphael Louvila & J. Mpouki Kimbolo Ya-Djecko
MWANA YA KIMBOLO
from the LP MWANA YA KIMBOLO / MALEKA
JMK/Meya

3) Assi Kapela
FANNY
from the LP ASSI KAPELA
Aicodis

 
4) Sam Mangwana & l’African All Stars
ASTRIDA N’DE
from the LP SAM MANGWANA ET L’AFRICAN ALL STARS
Tangent

5) Mimi Kazidona
A TOI DE CHOISIR
from the KP BEAUTE SAUVAGE
Disques SONICS

6) Tadi-Zeze
OU ES TU SOLEIL?
from the LP TADI-ZEZE CHANTE ET DANSE BANATHA
Safari Ambiance

7) Teke-Teke
MAKWELA
from the LP TEKE-TEKE
Sonafric

8) Orchestre Thu-Zaina
FRANCY MOTEMA
from the LP ORCHESTRE THU-ZAINA
Pathe Marconi/EMI

PART B
9) Nguashi-N’Timbo
BOLINGO PASI
from the LP MBOYO, OSALA NGAI NINI
Ets.JNT Music Paris

10)Le Prince Youlou Mabiala & Kamikaze Loningisa
AGNA
from the LP 5eme ANNIVERSAIRE
IAD/Disques Esperance

 
11) Franco et le T.P.O.K. Jazz
TEMPS MORT
from the LP TRES IMPOLI
Edipop Production

12) Kiesse Diambu
SILEFE
from the LP FRANCO PRESENTE KIESSE DIAMBU: PESA YE MBOTE
V.I.S.A. 1980

 
13) Yenga-Yenga Junior & Clan Langa-Langa
AMOUR, MALADIE UNIQUE
from the LP JALOUSIE ABAT
Tsiedou Productions

14) Nzaya Nzayadio
KIMONA MESO
from the LP KIMONA MESO
Ets. M.K. Records

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Ambiance Congo: November 27, 2016

Welcome!
Today I started out with a six to songs to celebrate the lives and careers of three of my favorite artists: the late Tabu Ley Rochereau, the late Pepe Kalle and the late King Kester Emeneya. What did they have in common other than being charismatic band leaders and wonderful singers who pioneered individual sounds of their own? The end of November. Both Tabu Ley & Pepe Kalle passed in the last week of November and the King's birthday was November 23.
What started off with this tribute turned into another wild and wandering program that jumped about from today back a few decades back again.
I have to say I always jump at a chance to play Choc Stars, Grand Zaiko Wawa and Minzoto Wella. So here you have them, mixed in with Defao and Staff des Leaders.
Ending up with KaRmaPa's tribute to the late Fidel Castro.
Enjoy!
Listen here:
https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJYTmZRT01GR0ZESjhUQw
or here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=Ambiance%20Congo&nav=&

Tracks:
 PART A

1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

 
2) Tabu Ley Rochereau & L’Orchestre Afrisa International
TIKA NAMEKA
from the LP LE SEIGNEUR ROCHEREAU
ISA

3) Tabu Ley Rochereau & L’Orchestre Afrisa International
KIWELEWELE
from the CD KIWELEWELE / NAZALI MWASI
Ngoyarto

 
4) Pepe Kalle & L’Orchestre Empire Bakuba
MWANA GABON
from the CD KABAMBARE
Ets. Kaluila

5) Pepe Kalle & L’Orchestre Empire Bakuba
L’Espoir En Christ
from the CD SAVOIR VIVRE
Air B. Mas Production

6) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
MIFOUNE
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

7) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison
MOKUSA (revu et corrige)
from the CD THE BEST OF KING KESTER 1982-1987
Glenn Music

 
8) Choc Stars
KARINA
from the LP RETROVAILLES A PARIS VOLUME 1: NONO
Rythmes et Musique

9) Desouza Santu
MI AMOR DE TABU LEY ROCHEREAU
from the CD LES AMBASSADEURS
Alain Nditchout Production

PART B
10)Defao
ANTHONY MALONGYA
from the CD ANY TIME
Djaffar Awatoza Production

11) Staff des Leaders
ZIGGEN TOKO
from the CD J’AI MON COPAIN
Musicanova

 
12) Grand Zaiko Wawa
MA BIEN-AIMEE
from the LP MINDONDO/15
Mat Trading Productions

13) Minzoto Wella-Wella
FALA
from the LP VERCKYS PRESENT L’INTERNATIONAL MINZOTO VOL 2 DANSE CANETON A L’AISEMENT
Ets. VeVe International

14) Maray Maray
BASILA
from the LP MARAY, ESPERANT, JOSKY
Ets. Mayala

15) KaRmaPa
FIDELE CASTRO
from the CD RIPOSTE
Ets. N’Diaye

Monday, November 21, 2016

Ambiance Congo: November 13, 2016

Welcome!
To those who look forward to posts here, I apologize for the delay. I've been working in another state and I have just returned.
It's worth the wait, I hope. This is a pretty good show mixing new music with some great older records. Enjoy!

Listen here:
https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJXSkhURndxRTFFQmNUQw
or, as always, here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/series/Ambiance+Congo

Tracks:
PART A
1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

2) Alain Bikindou
INSOMNIE
from the CD KONGO DIA NTOTILA
Galaxie Beaute

 
3) Defao
BIGA NSUMBU
from the CD ANY TIME
Djaffar Awatoza Production

4) Luciana Demingongo
ROMEO SANS JULIETTE
from the CD ROMEO SANS JULIETTE
Mtsi Production

 
5) Madilu System
TENDS-MOI LA MAIN
From the CD L’Eau
JPS Productions

6) L’Orchestre Afri-Jazz et Les Grosses Tetes
MASSABAH
from the CD FRAPPE AERIENNE
Sonodisc

7) Sam Mangwana
MAAMI
from the CD TERRE SACREE ACT 4: 5/7 ALLEZ Y COMPRENDRE
Lumieres D’Afriques

8) Manda Chante
MAKAKA SIMS
from the CD JE SUIS…
Cyriaque Bassoka Productions

PART B
9) Le Duo Pere et Fils Dindo Yogo et Lola
SINA NDUKU
from the CD
MAT Production

 
10)Viva la Musica de Papa Wemba
LIBALA MAKAMBO
from the LP BELOTI
Disco Stock

11) Moza 1er
MALE
from the LP THE TOP…
Aswe Records

12) Gaulard Nianzi “Le Grand Pretre Cheri Gau”
TA BIMBIENGELE
from the LP MENAGE A TROIS
Iguane

13) Les Bantous Monument
GARE AU BARATIN
from the LP LES BANTOUS “MONUMENT”
Sonodisc


 
14) Loubassou Denis “La Cloche”
MA NGOUNGA
from the LP SAKA SAKA SHOW
YAM Production

15) M’Bilia Bel
SECRETAIRE
from the CD QUEEN
Syllart Production

16) Docteur Nico & l’Orchestre African Fiesta
JEANINE
from the LP TOUT L’AFRIQUE DANSE AVEC LE DOCTEUR NICO
Sonafric

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Ambiance Congo: October 30, 2016

WELCOME!
New music from Sam Mangwana, Manda Chante, Defao and an exclusive track by l'Orchestre Afrisa International. Recent music from Christian Lema, Werrason and others. Lots of great oldies from vinyl, too: Verckys, Trio Ce.Pa.Kos and more!
Enjoy the program here:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/cUJVeFllZDVwM2tYRHNUQw
or here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/series/Ambiance+Congo

Tracks:

PART A
1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

 
2) Sam Mangwana
BOLINGO BABELELAKA TE
from the CD TERRE SACREE ACT 4
Lumieres D’Afriques

3) L’Orchestre Afrisa International
MA FILLE
from an upcoming CD
unreleased exclusive

4) Orchestre Le Peuple Trio Ce. Pa. Kos
CIRCULAIRE
from the LP ORCHESTRE LE PEUPLE TRIO CE.PA.KOS
EMI/Pathe

5) Verckys et l’Orchestre VeVe
LOBOKO
From the LP VEVE 1 ”DYNAMITE” VERCKYS
African

6) Les Grands Maquisards
JARIA
from the CD THE BEST OF NTESA DALIENST VOL. 1
African/Sonodisc

 
7) Djo Mpoyi et le Saka Yonsa de Mbole Tambwe
AZALAKA OCCUPEE
from the CD CHERIE KAZADI
Ngoyarto

 
8) La Mus Africa
MOBALI YAKOLOBA
from the LP ZAIRE
Sacodis

PART B
9) Defao
NA KONZEMBA
from the CD ANY TIME
Djaffar Awatoza Production

10)Desi Mbwese
CAMELEON
from the CD LES MAMANS D’ABORD
GV Worldwide Production

11) Papa Wemba
METAMORPHOSE
from the CD MAITRE D’ECOLE RUMBA
Production Cornely Malongi

 
12) Christian Lema
L’HOMME DE PAROLE
from the CD IL EST TEMPS
BMK La Paix Productions

13) Werrason & Wenge Musica Maison Mere
KASKIN (REMIX)
from the CD SANS POTEAU
Werrason

14) Manda Chante
NUIT ET JOUR
from the CD JE SUIS…
Cyrique Bassoka Productions

15) Jonas Balela
EVANGILE
from the CD OFFRE SPECIALE
Jonas Balela

16) Klay
MALEMBE
from the LP ETUMBU
Dignite

17) Rumbanella Band
L’Age et L’Amour
from the CD THE VERY BEST CONGOLESE RUMBS SESSIONS
Marabi Productions


Ambiance Congo: Interview with members of l' Orchestre Afrisa International

L'Orchestre Afrisa International and manager David Gaar were kind to visit with me at the studios of WRIR the day following their multiple performances in Richmond at the end of October, 2016.

We enjoyed a lunch together (thanks to my beautiful wife, Julie, for her help with that!) and a few of us sat around the table in WRIR's talk show production studio and talked about Afrisa, their music and Congolese music in general. Joining me in the discussion were Modero Mekanisi (at left), Wawali Bonane, Huit Kilos Nkesa, and (not shown here) Dodo Munoko and Ngouma Lokito. The gentleman with the shades at right in this picture is drummer Parigo Asuka.
Many thanks to Patricia "Sunny Gardener" Stansbury for her help with the recording. The studio used to record the interview was created and is maintained by donations from listeners like you!

The interview aired as part of an Ambiance Congo radio program presented during WRIR's Fall Fund Drive and may be found, along with a track list of music played, here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/88837
Radio4all is supported by donations from people like you and me.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Ambiance Congo: October 2, 2016

WELCOME!
Welcome to Ambiance Congo radio program, recorded live in USA on WRIR 97.3 FM Richmond.
I have been playing a lot of LPs from the 70s and 80s lately and today is no exception. We start with a couple of little known albums from the period on the wonderful Sonafric label and end with a couple of CDs from the 1990s.
I cannot begin to express how much I anticipate the upcoming weekend and multiple performances by Afrisa International at the 2016 Folk Fest here in Richmond, Virginia USA. This edition of Ambiance Congo features a 1980s LP track from Afrisa, with the late Tabu Ley "Rochereau" along with sax by Modero Mekanisi -who is still in the band- and absolutely delicious guitar by the late Docteur Nico. There's also atrack from a CD by Ngouma Lokito who currently plays bass with Afrisa. Tune in next time for a live interview with members of Afrisa International recorded post Folk Fest right here in the studios of WRIR!

Listen to this week's show here:
 https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJWR0lVMVhwTVU4RmNUQw
or here:
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/series/Ambiance+Congo

Songs:


PART A
1) King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band
sebene from DORIS ILOKO (this program’s theme song)
from the CD PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music

 
2) Orchestre Lisa Bobo
TATA NA SAMBWE
from the LP ORCHESTRE LISA BOBO & BENSON LAWRENCE
Sonafric

3) Samba Mascott & others
ANANA SAMY NA CATHY NO.3
from the LP LES PLUS GRANDS SUCCES DES EDITIONS SAMAY
Sonafric

4) Soki Vangu & Orchestre Bella-Bella
FOLOLO
from the LP SOKI VANGU ET LE BELLA BELLA
Masikini Productions

5) Les Bantous de la Capitale
MURIEL
from the LP LES BANTOUS DE LA CAPITALE BAKOLO M’BOKA
Ets. Prodis

6) Orchestre Lipua-Lipua
ZELA MOBALI NAYO MPO OTUNA
from the LP LES GRANDS SUCCES DES EDITIONS VEVE VOL. 4 DIRECTION: VERCKYS
Sonafric

7) Johnny Bokelo
A.S. BILIMAN
from the LP A.S. BILIMAN CHAMPION D’AFRIQUE
Shakara Music

 
8) Tabu Ley & Afrisa International
O’HAMBE
from the LP ROCHEREAU A ABIDJAN VOL. III
I.N.A / Disco Stock

PART B
9) Lokass ya M’Bongo
ANGELIQUE
from the LP SPECIAL 81 ASSITOU
Passport Music of Africa

11)Orchestre Mode Succes
CHERIE MAKWANZA
from the LP INNOVATION PRESENTE JULIOS LUKAU VOL. 2/5
Innovation

11)Bebe Manzenza
MITELENGANO
from the LP JOEL
YAM Productions

 
12) Tshala Muana
KIZOUNGO-ZOUNGO
from the CD SOUKOUS SIREN
Shanachie

13) Ngouma Lokito
TALISMAN
from the CD TALISMAN
Sonodisc

14) Marcus Mvouka
NZOTO EKALI MABELE
from the LP KEBA NA YE
Discafrique

 
15) Mose Se Sengo “Fan Fan”
BANA CONGO
from the CD THE CONGO ACOUSTIC
Triple Earth