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Avg: 4.5 (24 ratings)
- Date Released: July 17, 2001
- Genre: International
- Style: Africa
- Label: Sterns / IODA
The real rumba, lulling and warm, played by those who knew it back in the day.
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We Say...
Kékélé are veteran Congolese superstars, but they actually came together in Paris, and by the time they made this album in 2001, it was an obvious meeting of minds and spirits under the direction of mellifluous guitarist Papa Noel, who’d been playing rumba since the '50s. All eight musicians are been-there-done-that veterans with an instinctive feel for early, Latin-inflected Congolese rumba — think an African version of Buena Vista Social Club and you’re close to the mark. Gorgeously full (listen to “Dido”) and performed with palpable pleasure and consummate skill, it’s an object lesson in the old school. Always melodic and full of subtle cross-rhythms, this is music to tease a smile and start the feet moving softly. It's sweet without ever becoming saccharine, a series of quiet, winning joys that satisfy effortlessly. This is the real rumba, lulling and warm, played by those who knew it back in the day — and still obviously love it.
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They Say...
Kekele's Rumba Congo is an album that brings together seven decorated veterans of Congolese rumba's golden age. All of these musicians have been playing since the 1960s and one, Papa Noel, has been into the Congolese scene since 1957. It is an enduring strand (Kekele is the Lingala word for a fibrous vine woven to make rope in the Congo) that harks back to the graceful elegance of the classic rumba of the Congo, whose main appeal is its sensuous charm. The Cuban influence, along with myriad other influences, has been inflected and melded into Congolese rumba. The rumba magicians have reworked rhythms and melodies via their native tongue, Lingala. This classic Congolese rumba is a welcome antidote to the surfeit of soukous stars who have succumbed to instant success by producing albums that reek of repetition, exaggeration, and uninventive guitar exercises. Here is the full glory of Congolese rumba, played with style and an elegant sensuality that is without equal in the world of African music. Why anyone would want to abandon such an appealing and diversely rich music such as this is hard to comprehend. It is a credit to these and other Congolese musicians who have kept this music alive and revived it amidst the welter of soukous clones. There is no filler here, only unguent guitar work, honey-laced vocals, piping-hot percussion, and tight fat horns. It would be difficult to top this recording for Congolese rumba album of the year or, for that matter, African album of the year. Highly recommended.
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| 01. |  |
Mbote Ya Pamba
|
4:18 |
|
| 02. | |
Dido
|
4:24 |
|
| 03. | |
Mandze Mandze
|
4:06 |
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| 04. | |
Baninga
|
4:11 |
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| 05. | |
Elembetele Lala
|
4:24 |
|
| 06. | |
Massamour
|
4:13 |
|
| 07. | |
Pinzoli Ya Africa
|
4:31 |
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| 08. | |
Kubola
|
4:17 |
|
| 09. | |
Patenge
|
4:24 |
|
| 10. | |
Gina
|
4:37 |
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| 11. | |
Kaka Ngai
|
3:39 |
|
| 12. | |
Success Ya Grand Kalle
|
8:42 |
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| 13. | |
Otage Ya Bolingo
|
5:13 |
|
| 14. | |
Likambo
|
3:39 |
|
14 Total Tracks, 64:38 Total Length
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Credits
- Wuta Mayi - Vocals // Wuta Mayi - Choir, Chorus // Ben Belinga - Sax (Tenor) // Nicolas Gueret - Clarinet // Nicolas Gueret - Flute // Nicolas Gueret - Sax (Alto) // Yves N'Djock - Guitar // Yves N'Djock - Arranger // Yves N'Djock - Music Direction // Ibrahima Sylla - Executive Producer // Bumba Massa - Vocals // Bumba Massa - Choir, Chorus // Syran Mbenza - Guitar // Syran Mbenza - Arranger // Pierre Rene-Worms - Photography // Viviane Arnoux - Accordion // Miguel Gomez - Bongos // Miguel Gomez - Conga // Miguel Gomez - Maracas // Jenny Cathcart - Translation // Kekele - Main Performer // Kekele - Main Performer
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