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He, like myself, loves Lingala music, especially from what we both fondly call, the Lingala Decade; 1967 to 1977. On Saturdays, he comes in at noon and we sit down to talk music. Since both of us are teetotalers, we sip on Fanta's and hold in-depth discussions about the early days when Tabu Ley Rocherou sang for the late Dr. Nico on the magnificent, Kiri Kiri, a brief but beautiful song with great guitar work and smooth vocals.
About Johnny Bokelo Isenge who gave us a long string of dance hits with such incredible work that you wondered how a human being could do that with his fingers.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=+1]
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We talked about
Kiamangwana Wazolamboga Mateta 'Verkys' who in 1969 produced the hit,
Mfumbwa with his Veve that ushered in a new age of lengthy dance songs that utilized both sides of the 45 single. Verkys also formed the label, Editions Veve that brought forth a whole slew of with young talented artists.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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In the early seventies, Orchestra Veve gave us such hits as
Lukani,
Baluti and
Yanini.
Baluti had a beautiful jazzy saxophone solo that blew my mind.
Orchestra Lipua Lipua presented Nouvelle Generation, probably our most favorite song. It had great vocals, different solo bridges, excellent drum work and choruses. This was the beginning of a 'new wave' style that Lipua Lipua started with hits of cuts including
Mbondo,
Mombassa, and
Temperature.
Orchestra Kiam jumped on the dance wagon with a danceable style that utilized the guitar and did not use horns at all.
Songs like
Moni Afinda and Mbale were classics but
Memi is my favorite tune of theirs. Members of Lipua Lipua, mainly Nyboma Muandindo and
Mulembu Tshibau and Kinzunga Ricos left to form Les Kamale, a band that featured Nyboma's sweet vocals as well as amazing guitar and drum work.
Ngali,
Ayi Djo and
Abisinia are among their classic hits but
Asana Muana Maua with its slow, smooth vocals is unforgettable.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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Mulembu moved on to form Orchestra Fuka Fuka and produced the hit,
Bitota[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=+1]while Nyboma advanced on to a successful solo career. Other notable bands included the Vangu brothers' Bella Bella which gave us
Horoscope,
Kumisa Ngai, Sola and the incredible Koko.
A young unknown called Kanda Bongo Man sang in Bella Bella before later on embarking on a very successful solo career. Orchestra Shama Shama gave us
Okomi Kolangwa,
Shama Shama and
Pamaphi, danceable tracks with harmonies and extensive use of the high hat. Orchestra Mangelepa gave us
Embakasi,
Mimba,
Mangelepa Kamili,
Pambana Pambana and the delightful
Kasuku. This was a good time band that resided in Kenya. Orchestra Super Mazembe gave us
Shida,
Mwana Mazembe,
Kasongo and
Amina. Orchestra Grand Piza produced
Muana Maua and
Mandalala. And Orchestra Sentima gave us
Cetoyene and
Bosoneli.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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While these young bands were producing hits almost every week, stalwarts like Luambo Makiadi Franco who is the greatest African that ever lived and Tabu Ley along with Pepe Kalle, two giants, continued to produce remarkable music. Of course, there was a lot of wonderful music after 1977. Tabu Ley introduced Mbilia Bel, a remarkable woman with a wonderful voice and amazing style who could also dance. She boosted Tabu Ley's career and created her own.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=+1]Respect.
FMEs!
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