Congo Life

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Congolese pop is considerably more varied than many people realize, ranging from the classic two-part extravaganzas made famous by Franco and his contemporaries, to the relentless pace and shimmering, hummingbird-like guitar licks of "speed soukous." Kekele harks back to the former tradition, favoring a swinging, sexy slow burn, a deliberate yet inventive unfolding of theme and variation rather than a quick fix. But this does not mean that gratification is delayed; from the first note, the listener is seduced by percolating percussion, honeyed voices, and glorious guitars, augmented by accordion, woodwinds, and charanga-like fiddles. The tunes are as ardent, playful, and adult as the sultry Cuban grooves that originally inspired them. An unbeatable roster of veteran performers, now in mid-life, are empowered rather than imprisoned by their glorious past, having a ball as they weave eleven graceful, sophisticated old-time rumbas by hand for modern ears. Don't miss this one! --Christina Roden

Tracks:

Delali
Lolita
Issake Shango
Affaire Mokuwa
Bebe Yaourt
Nakobala Te
Mandoyi
Lili
Souvenirs-Ok-Jazz
Oyebi Bien
Silence

Amazon.com

Congolese pop is considerably more varied than many people realize, ranging from the classic two-part extravaganzas made famous by Franco and his contemporaries, to the relentless pace and shimmering, hummingbird-like guitar licks of "speed soukous." Kekele harks back to the former tradition, favoring a swinging, sexy slow burn, a deliberate yet inventive unfolding of theme and variation rather than a quick fix. But this does not mean that gratification is delayed; from the first note, the listener is seduced by percolating percussion, honeyed voices, and glorious guitars, augmented by accordion, woodwinds, and charanga-like fiddles. The tunes are as ardent, playful, and adult as the sultry Cuban grooves that originally inspired them. An unbeatable roster of veteran performers, now in mid-life, are empowered rather than imprisoned by their glorious past, having a ball as they weave eleven graceful, sophisticated old-time rumbas by hand for modern ears. Don't miss this one! --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

The best acoustic African Congolese album of the century.......2003-11-08

Kékélé is a star studded Congolese band with vocalists Wuta-Mayi, Nyboma, Bumba Massa, and Loko Massengo with Syran Mbenza playing the acoustic guitar. The sound here is stunning, and the orchestration perfect, including beautifully layered acoustic guitars by Syran and Rigo Star, some tasty accordion spicing from Regis Gizavo of Madagascar, and on some tunes, an all-clarinet horn section (played by Caçau de Queiroz), harking back to the early days of Congolese rumba.
The violins on Loko Massengo's "Bebe Yaourt" is a revelation that this instrument marries well with the smooth vocals of Kékélé. "Souvenirs-OK-Jazz," a Medley of Franco hits is the final drop that spills the bucket of sweetness, it just becomes too much.
Kekele is to music what Real Madrid is to football.

Average customer rating:

Love the first track, the others don't match its precedent

Krazy Cat/Dance in Place/Ameri

Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Carpenter: Adventures in a Perambulator / Symphonies 1 & 2

ASIN: B0000030FB
Release Date: 1992-12-08

Tracks:

Krazy Kat
The Dance In Place Congo
American Life
Rhapsodie Negre

Customer Reviews:

Love the first track, the others don't match its precedent.......2006-05-27

Four orchestral compositions, mostly modern classical, with some amount of inspiration from jazz. The title song is indeed named after Herriman's comic, and it does suit it fairly well... sweeping, mysterious, and dignified, while also being cartoonish, playful, and so on... moves through a series of completely different scenes, being almost thirteen minutes long. The accompanying pamphlet explains that this song was a 'jazz pantomime,' accompanied by a ballet (!!!!) with rolling backdrops. Ignatz the Mouse is symbolized by the piccolo; there's also a saxophone and wa-wa trumpet in there. The story has Krazy Kat put on a ballet skirt found on a clothesline. Among other antics, Ignatz approaches in disguise, gives Krazy a bouquet of catnip, and Krazy drunkenly dances the "Katnip Blues;" then Ignatz throws a brick at him, and is arrested by Offissa Pupp. Now that I've read that, I can figure out what the various events in the music represent. I like it. It's cute. It would've been WAY more fun to see as a ballet, though-- who knew! A Krazy Kat ballet! I'm not as fond of the other songs on this disc... they're all rather tumultous and scary-doom. I'm sure they're well-made, but they don't fit the happy-go-lucky feel of the first song. They fit some of the themes, since they also have jazz inspirations to them, but the mood isn't what you're wanting after giggling at slapstick classical.

Average customer rating:

One of the best of all times
One of the best

Larger Than Life
Pepe Kalle
Manufacturer: Stern's
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Zaire & Congo | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Soukous | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Africa | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000008H7J
Release Date: 1994-03-08

Tracks:

Roger Milla
Zonga Aime
Pedro
Bitota
Gerant
Shikamo Seye
Beli Seyo
Muyenga
Roger Milla (Stadium Mix)

Amazon.com

Known throughout Africa as L'Elephant de Zaire, the late Pepe Kalle (born Kabasele Yampanya) was a giant among Congolese vocalists both in terms of voice and girth. The state-of-the-art soukous of 1992's Larger Than Life has aged well. Two versions of Kalle's massive hit "Roger Milla," a tribute to the Cameroon soccer star, bookend the album--complete with referee whistles, crowd noise, and Kalle commentary. The real joy, however, lies in hearing dazzling young guitarist Dally Kimoko run frisky puppy-dog rings around elder players Popolipo Zaiko and Souzy Kasseya. Whether testifying at the top end of his smooth tenor voice, or chanting in breakneck counterpoint to his smoothly oiled backing singers, Kalle comes across as thoroughly in charge of one of Africa's great party ensembles. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews:

One of the best of all times.......2004-11-09

Pepe Kalle was truly a great in congolese music. His song "Roger Milla" will certainly get the party started!! one of my favorite songs of all time is this one and also "Gerant", and im sure whoever listens to it will not be disappointed!!!!

One of the best.......1999-05-24

Pepe Kalle was in my opinion one the true legends of Zairean music. His style and his class will live on forever. This cd is only a small tribute to a man who passed away in the prime of his life and his career.