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- Date Released: September 25, 2007
- Genre: International
- Style: Africa
- Label: Sterns / IODA
The perfect introduction to a vocal master.
-
We Say...
Tabu Ley Rochereau has long been hailed as the Congo's greatest modern vocalist, but curious parties here in the west have mostly had to accept his reputation on faith. The haphazardly selected compilations and peppy, synth-heavy later efforts available to us provided little more of glimpses into his art. Only the glorious Omono Wapi, Rochereau's mid-'80s collaboration with his only rival for rumba supremacy, Franco, hinted at the source of his legendary status.
But if The Voice of Lightness is, to say the least, overdue, that's not to say it's merely definitive by default. Charting the broad range of Rochereau's music over its first decade and a half, this compilation is practically an encyclopedia of Congolese guitar styles, from Dr. Nico's jazzy lyricism on “Keyla” through the beefed up soukous-rock of Zaiko Longa Longa. And the chronological historical context allows us to hear Rochereau as modernist innovator, the man who introduced the trap-drum to Congolese rumba, and who introduced Congolese rumba to Paris.
And what's he singing about? Himself, quite a bit. Wealthy benefactors, maybe even more often — among the highlights here is a soap commercial, "Savon Omo," a consumerist twist on the African tradition of praise songs. Ladies, whenever possible. And the funky "Aon Aon," he imitates a wah-wah guitar — a reminder that whatever the literal lyrics emerging from his mouth, Rochereau is always really celebrating the sounds that he and his bands are able to create. -
They Say...
About time, too. The world has needed a good compilation of this great Congolese singer, and this two-disc set comes close to being just what the doctor ordered, focusing on the 1960s and '70s, when he was arguably at his best and most creative, with his voice emotional and supple, standing out from whatever group was behind him at the time -- and he led some of the classics of the period. At almost 90 minutes, this offers a lot of Tabu Ley Rochereau, with plenty of sublime moments of Congolese rhumba before it morphed into the faster, less delicate soukous. Rochereau could easily command, and does so often, with great songwriting ability (listen to the way the chorus lifts on "Pesa le Tout," for instance -- it's sublime). There are moments of hubris, of course, and not just in the music. The notes claim that Rochereau invented the instrumental break known as the sebene, which, according to many other sources, simply isn't true. But that's by the bye. The man sang like a dream, and these golden years really capture him at his peak: thrilling, and one of the classic African voices.
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| 01. |  |
Keyla
|
4:44 |
|
| 02. | |
K.J.
|
4:47 |
|
| 03. | |
Succès African Jazz
|
3:58 |
|
| 04. | |
Pesa Le Tout
|
4:38 |
|
| 05. | |
Nalembi Nalembi
|
2:57 |
|
| 06. | |
N'daya paradis
|
2:35 |
|
| 07. | |
Tabalissimo
|
3:20 |
|
| 08. | |
Mama Ida
|
3:46 |
|
| 09. | |
Mireille Mwana
|
3:02 |
|
| 10. | |
Mokolo Nakokufa
|
4:55 |
|
| 11. | |
Savon Omo
|
4:41 |
|
| 12. | |
Lily Mwana Ya Quartier
|
4:06 |
|
| 13. | |
Kasala
|
3:47 |
|
| 14. | |
Monano
|
4:38 |
|
| 15. | |
Ana Mokoy
|
2:58 |
|
| 16. | |
Mokitani Ya Wendo
|
5:55 |
|
| 17. | |
Christine
|
6:08 |
|
| 18. | |
Songo+Songo = Songi-Songi
|
5:05 |
|
18 Total Tracks, 76:00 Total Length
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 29 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 29 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
| 01. | |
Aon Aon
|
4:37 |
|
| 02. | |
Kimakango Mpe Libala
|
7:51 |
|
| 03. | |
Mongali
|
5:05 |
|
| 04. | |
Omanga
|
5:01 |
|
| 05. | |
Nzale
|
5:20 |
|
| 06. | |
Kaful Mayay
|
7:47 |
|
| 07. | |
Karibou Ya Bintou
|
5:48 |
|
| 08. | |
Mbanda Nayei
|
5:21 |
|
| 09. | |
Adeito (1 & 2)
|
10:06 |
|
| 10. | |
Yombe
|
7:53 |
|
| 11. | |
Likambo Ya Mokanda
|
9:39 |
|
11 Total Tracks, 74:28 Total Length
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Playlists If you like Tabu Ley Rochereau, check out these member playlists
Credits
- Sam Mangwana - Percussion // Sam Mangwana - Percussion // Sam Mangwana - Vocals // Sam Mangwana - Vocals // Tabu Ley Rochereau - Arranger // Tabu Ley Rochereau - Vocals // Manu Dibango - Saxophone // Modero Mekanisi - Saxophone // Modero Mekanisi - MC // Ya Mbongo Lokassa - Guitar // Ben Turner - Mastering // Tabu Ley - Vocals // Seskain Molenga - Drums // N'Yoka Longo - Vocals // Mark Watkins - Design // Dino Vangu - Guitar // Ken Braun - Liner Notes // Ken Braun - Compilation // Likinga Redo - Vocals
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