Items12The creator’s order
  1. 1Mario - Franco & T.P. O.K. JazzMario - Franco & T.P. O.K. JazzFrançois Luambo Makiadi, the towering colossus of Congolese rumba, achieved one of his greatest commercial triumphs with this sardonic narrative about a gigolo living off an older woman. Supported by his immense Tout Puissant O.K. Jazz ensemble, Franco's conversational vocal delivery alternates…0
  2. 2A Paris - Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa InternationalA Paris - Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa InternationalRecorded during Rochereau's historic breakthrough concerts at the Paris Olympia, this landmark recording captures Congolese rumba modernising for international audiences. Afrisa International's horn section blazes with soul-jazz precision, but it is the fluid, melodic interplay of lead guitarist…0
  3. 3Kwassa Kwassa - Kanda Bongo ManKwassa Kwassa - Kanda Bongo ManKanda Bongo Man revolutionised modern soukous by stripping down the slow vocal introduction of traditional rumba and fast-forwarding directly into high-octane sebenes. Partnering with virtuoso guitarist Diblo Dibala, tracks like Sai and the buoyant title cut showcase blistering, treble-heavy…0
  4. 4Super Soukous - Diblo Dibala & LoketoSuper Soukous - Diblo Dibala & LoketoFormed in Paris with singer Aurlus Mabélé, Loketo became the defining supergroup of the global soukous boom. Diblo Dibala, nicknamed the machine gun of the guitar, unleashes lightning-fast picking patterns that flutter above driving electronic drums and brass synth stabs. Super Soukous captures…0
  5. 5Sentiment Awa - Zaïko Langa LangaSentiment Awa - Zaïko Langa LangaZaïko Langa Langa transformed Central African youth culture in the 1970s and 1980s by discarding brass sections entirely and pioneering the cavacha snare-drum groove. On Sentiment Awa, the band relies on four intertwining electric guitars led by the legendary Roxy Tshimpaka and Petit Poisson. The…0
  6. 6Le Voyageur - Papa WembaLe Voyageur - Papa WembaA founding member of Zaïko and the spiritual leader of the elegant La Sape fashion movement, Papa Wemba merged ancestral vocal cries with international world-pop production. On Le Voyageur, recorded for Real World, sparkling Congolese guitar lines weave effortlessly into crisp modern programming.…0
  7. 7Haut de Gamme (Tcha Tcho) - Koffi OlomidéHaut de Gamme (Tcha Tcho) - Koffi OlomidéKoffi Olomidé slowed down the frenetic pace of Parisian soukous to create tcha tcho, a sensual, sophisticated evolution of Congolese rumba tailored for romantic contemplation. On Haut de Gamme, also known as Koweït, Rive Gauche, sweet vocal choruses cushion delicate, acoustic-leaning guitar licks…0
  8. 8Maria Tebbo - Sam MangwanaMaria Tebbo - Sam MangwanaBorn in Kinshasa to Angolan parents, cosmopolitan singer Sam Mangwana moved freely between O.K. Jazz and African Fiesta before forging an influential solo career across West Africa. Maria Tebbo incorporates Ghanaian highlife, salsa and Afro-Cuban grooves into the Congolese framework. Dizzy…0
  9. 9Dieu de la Guitare - Dr. Nico & L'African Fiesta SukisaDieu de la Guitare - Dr. Nico & L'African Fiesta SukisaNicolas Kasanda, universally revered across Africa as Docteur Nico, earned his title as the God of the Guitar through flawless fingerstyle technique and pioneering use of the Hawaiian lap steel. Leading African Fiesta Sukisa, Nico's bright, ringing tone and cascading solo phrases on Kamungaziko and…0
  10. 10Bouger Bouger - Wenge MusicaBouger Bouger - Wenge MusicaRecorded when the band members were still college students in Kinshasa, Bouger Bouger launched the fourth generation of Congolese music and created the ndombolo dance craze. Lead guitarist Alain Makaba introduced heavier rock-influenced distortion and complex melodic arpeggios that battle furiously…0