Dr. Nico & Empompo Deyesse - Derniere Memoire (1990?)

Legendary Congolese guitarist Dr. Nico (Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay) traveled to Benin around 1983 to make what would be his last recording, along with saxophonist Empompo Deyesse and a stellar band. Beginning with a definitive reprise of his classic song "Africa Mokili Mobimba," this wonderful record is testament to the virtuosity of the "god of the guitar." Three of the five songs on the album were written by Nico, and in each his guitar is dazzling. "Boninga," written by Deyesse, is also excellent, with memorable vocal harmonies that reflect the musicality of the talented saxophonist. This recording occurred during a flurry of creativity by Nico, after a decade of silence and obscurity. Sadly, his brilliance was lost in 1985, at the young age of forty-six.

I could find little trace of this record or the German label Voix d'Afrique, so am unsure of both the date of recording and publishing. If you know more details, please help us out in the comments.

Enjoy!

Pepe Kalle - Chante le Poète Simaro Massiya (1989)

Time to turn attention back to the Congo. Here is a splendid Pepe Kalle album that shines on every front. All of the songs are strong, but "Diarrhee Verbale (Tuba Tuba)" is tout puissant. This album is as much a Carlito one as it is Pepe Kalle; the duets shine throughout. I've always considered this one of Diblo Dibala's finest outings, as well, and I just wait for him to break out on every song. He takes over the sebene on "Tuba Tuba," Pepe Kalle's rich baritone sailing above. Papa Noel contributes wonderfully on lead, too, as do Simaro, Makosso and Lokassa on rhythm guitar. This is a fantastic, classic album.

Enjoy!

Paul Matavire - Doctor Love Volume Two (1990)

When I entered the tiny record shop in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in early 1991, the sound system pumped out a catchy tune that tipped slightly towards disco. It was "Dhindindi Fulltime," the current hit by Paul Matavire, backed by the Jairos Jiri Band. Matavire was a blind performer who became very popular throughout the country during the late '80s because of his fine singing and pointed, and sometimes humorous, songs. He generated some controversy for personal behavior, in the process, including rape charges. Like many Zimbabwean musicians, Matavire died young, leaving a fine legacy of music behind. This album is an excellent sample of it, with diverse songs including one slow one for tight dancing. It also has the closing reggae-chimurenga rocker "Pamberi Navajiri," which was collected on the classic Zimbabwe compilation, Take Cover!.

Enjoy!

Khiama Boys - Kubva Kure (1990)

The Khiama Boys surfaced in 1988 and produced a series of albums throughout the next decade plus. Music built on energetic, harmonic singing, thumping beats and fast guitars, it reminds me of Bhundu Boys at their peak. No credits are given for the musicians, and as this recording took place as the band was going through some personnel changes, it is impossible for me to name them. The Music of Zimbabwe page has a brief discussion of the band, as well as a discography, and that may give some clues. At least four CDs were available for awhile, through Stern's, but they appear to be out-of-print now.

I am really enjoying my temporary immersion in Zimbabwe's dynamic music. There will be a few more records coming your way soon, but I recommend you snag this excellent, rare recording. Now.

Enjoy!

John Chibadura & The Tembo Brothers - Rugare (1988)

Continuing to explore the trove of records I picked up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 1991, here is a solid album from John Chibadura & The Tembo Brothers. This band was the most successful proponent of sunguru music, a cross between rhumba and jit jive that likewise relies on blisteringly fast, intertwined guitars. Chibadura was an excellent guitarist and charismatic performer who sang of working class situations and issues. He released dozens of hit albums before his death in 1999 at the age of 42.

Enjoy!

Mbilia Bel - Boya Ye (1985)

Another Mbilia Bel to lighten you up. Boya Ye is one of the early headliner albums of this chanteuse. She is backed by Tabu Ley Rochereau and his band Afrisa International, though none of the musicians are given credit on the record jacket. Three of the four songs are Tabu Ley's, and on two of them she sings sweetly. On "Tonton Skol," Mbilia barely surfaces in the ensemble singing, and she disappears altogether during the animation break. "Shawuri Yako" is sung in English over a plodding rhythm, and only irresistible guitar riffs make it a pleasurable listen.

While perhaps not the best Mbilia Bel record, this record has a couple of strong songs. Later in 1985 it was re-released by Stern's Africa, with one song substitution. Stern's also released a CD in 2006 that had both this album and another from 1985, Ba Gerants Ya Mabala, but I believe it is now out-of-print. There is a "best of" double CD from 2007 that is available here, and I just ordered one. So while you wait for delivery of yours, you can listen to this nearly pristine copy of the original release.

Enjoy!

P.S. It is possible to earn money by posting links to purchases, as I have done here, but I am using a link that provides a small slice of the sale to my local non-profit, community radio station, KTNA.

Ephat Mujuru & The Spirit of the People - Mbavaira (1983)

Ephat Mujuru was a virtuoso on the mbira thumb piano central to Zimbabwean traditional music. Through a prolific career based in both Zimbabwe and the U. S., Mujuru had a tremendous impact through his recordings and many performances, as well as his extensive teaching of his art. Tragically he died unexpected ten years ago, at the young age of fifty-one.

This is one of several records cut by Ephat Mujuru in Zimbabwe during his tenure as a student in the U.S. in the '80s. It is incredibly short, containing four songs that could fit on one side of an LP, but it is a welcome uplifting listen for these tumultuous times. May it bring a bit of peace to you this weekend, wherever you are.

Enjoy!

O.J. Ekemode - Sisi Shade (1987)

Friends have noted my perfectionist tendencies, and they certainly extend into my music passion. Nothing beats seeing music performed live, where the only separation between musician and listener is air. With recorded music, I try to keep the separation as minimal as possible. That is why I am fastidious with record care. Now I find that when I am digitizing my record library, for me and for you, I tend to take more care removing as much surface noise as practical. I want to listen to the cleanest recording possible in order not to be distracted from the music.

This great record was one of a handful in my Nigerian collection that suffered moisture damage. Through successive vacuum cleanings I was able to reclaim the vinyl, and that made it possible to hear how worn the record was from heavy rotation in the years just after I purchased it. I therefore used the tool ClickRepair to remove some pops and cracks, and the result sounds pretty decent, but not perfect. The record sleeve was trashed, too, and I delayed posting this recording as I contacted a few friends to see if anyone had another, better copy. Nobody did, so I did some work on mine and was able to clean it up quite a bit. If anyone wants to send me good artwork for this album, I would appreciate it and repost it here.

That is a long preamble to consideration of this rare album. O.J. put together a dynamite band of 17 to record a very strong afro-beat set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The two songs sung in English, "Selma to Soweto" and "Be Counted," are both overtly political and directed at his audience during his long stay in the U.S. Both are excellent. The talking drum provided by Sikiru Adepoju is simply awesome throughout the album, and he is given plenty of room to strut. The rhythms rock. Yet O.J. is in top form on sax, too, and his singing is emblematic. This is an album you should not miss.

Enjoy!

Amayenge - Amayenge (1989)

This is the second of a trio of Zambian recordings published by Mondeca Records that I have been able to post, and like the other Zambian records offered here, this is a gem. Quite different from either of the previous bands, Amayenge is high-energy dance music fueled by furious percussion and singing. There are the great guitars typical of Copperbelt pop, but band leader Kris Chali's voice dominates, as well as his percussion solos.

Recorded in Zimbabwe, where the band was popular, this album even has a chimurenga song in praise of the revolutionary Zimbabwe of the day. There also are several songs praising Zambia's first and persistent President Kenneth Kaunda, who at the time was charting an independent, one-party path, and who was to lose power a short two years after this album was recorded. There is ample information about the band and songs on the album sleeve.

Enjoy!

Sooliman E. Rogie - African Lady (1975)

S. E. Rogie was a palm-wine and highlife guitarist from Sierra Leone who also could sing very well indeed. This album was the first he recorded during his sixteen-year tenure in the United States. Rogie's music is light and easy, and this record reminds me of cotton candy: fluffy and overly sweet. Not to say I don't like it; just that I have to be in the mood, one that comes infrequently.

Yet Rogie's voice is hard to forget, and some of his songs, like the title track, stick forever. A couple of his early hits that swept West Africa over forty years ago are collected on another record, which I might be able to offer you in the future. This one is worth a listen for the singing and guitar and the gently swinging songs. Maybe the sweetness that gets to me emanates from the back-up singers, and not from Rogie at all?

Enjoy!

You may read a biography of S.E. Rogie here.

Les Bantous de la Capitale (1976)

A challenging return home and a subsequent software update issue have delayed my posting a few days, so to celebrate my cyber-return I offer a superb album from this influential and pioneering Congolese band. Les Bantous de la Capitale, led by Jean Serge Essous and Nino Malapet, played a pivotal role in transforming Cuban rumba into rumba Lingala. This record has two Cuban songs on it, proving that the transformation was not yet complete in 1976.

This album was posted previously on the inimitable Global Groove site, but I think I was lucky in finding a much cleaner pressing of the disc, and so offer it with respect.

Enjoy!

Mbilia Bel - Phenomene (1989)

In late 1989 my partner Jess and I prepared to go see Mbilia Bel at a Bay Area club. We gently filled our infant first son's ears with cotton, and then swaddled his head in bright African cloth. He fit perfectly into a large New Guinean string bag in a miniature sleeping bag. At the dynamic gig we took turns holding him, dancing as well as we could. Many of the songs we danced to are on this album, which was new at the time, published in the U.S. It brings me bittersweet memories, as life's changes can transform memory.

I bought this record at the gig, and came to love the song Manzil-Manzil. In fact the whole album is deeply imbedded in my core.

It finally made it to CD in Europe, ten or so years ago, and perhaps it still is available there. I urge you you search for it. Meanwhile I offer this gem to the rest of the world because it should not be missed: Neither the music, nor the great cover picture that did not make the digital release.

Enjoy!

Ekambi Brillant - Reason (1987)

Ekambi Brillant is a makossa star who trends towards a truly funky edge, but this album of his suffers from an overly programmed production and terribly mediocre singing. The best thing about it might be the welcoming album art, but judge for yourself.

I hesitate to post this non-brillant record, but I am thousands of miles from home and it is the best I can do today. Try to. . .

Enjoy!

Jonah Moyo & Devera Nqwena - Ndabvezera (1990)

Jonah Moyo & Dvera Ngwena have to be one of the most dynamic bands from Zimbabwe. Their fusion of Congolese rumba with traditional mbira rhythms proved to be a potent mix that became known as rhumbira. It kept the band at the peak of popularity for decades, in Zimbabwe, through a plethora of albums. Unfortunately, as is all too common, this stellar band had limited success internationally, and music did not translate into wealth for the band members.

For a decent biography of the band, and a link to possible recordings still available to purchase, you can go to the Music of Zimbabwe site. Explore it while you listen to this uplifting record.

Enjoy!

P.S. Although on the road, I've figured out how to post a trickle over the next week or so. Enjoy. . .

Masasu Band - Masasu (1989)

Another foray into the relatively rare Zambian pop music library, with this nice slice of guitar-driven kalindula dance music from the Copperbelt. We already sampled this addictive style here.

Masasu Band leader John Mulemena sings well and achieves a splendidly twangy guitar sound that propels the mantyantya, the particular dance flavor played by this band. Released in England, this album quickly went out of print. The band had a CD published a decade after this record, but little trace of it can be found. I suggest listening to this second Zambian offering on this site, and while it plays, search the ether sphere for somewhere to buy the band's CD .

Enjoy!

P.S. This may be my last post for a short while. I have a family responsibility that takes me away from home and technology.