In the 1950s, when Congolese rumba came of age, Cuban music was an important model, but the tangling, cyclic guitar lines and mellifluous vocal harmonies sung mostly in Lingala quickly came to define a sound that will forever identify this city on the Congo River.
Rumbanella Band formed in 1986 under the leadership of Madou Lebon Mulowayi, guitarist and singer. Madou grew up and learned his musical skills in the mineral-rich Kasai region, in the southeast of Congo. They came to the capital, Kinshasa, when it was in its prime, the cosmopolitan cultural hub of the entire region. By then, they were well primed to soak up the fantastic new music that was bursting from every bar and record stall in the city. Soon, they were integral parts of the scene.
The El Congo recording project was the brainchild of French producer Christian Mousset. Rumbanella's re-creation of classic hits, especially by the legendary African Jazz and African Fiesta, make up the core repertoire on this CD. There's also a version of John Bosco Mwenda's signature composition, "Masanga Djiya," and an original composition by Serpent, "Na Luki Motungisi."
Wendo Kolosoy and his pioneering band, Victoria Bakolo Mizike, were also on hand, recording their sensational comeback album Amba. Wendo's backing singers Willy and Mass fill out the Rumbanella vocal section. This collection also includes a Wendo composition, "Botiaki-Tembe," performed by Victoria Bakolo Mizike, and a fresh version of Wendo's classic 1948 song, "Marie Louise," which he sings here backed by the Rumbanella Band. Last but not least, comes the king of the likembe (thumb piano), Antoine Moundanda of Brazzaville. Moundanda contributes a solo composition, and a spontaneous improvisation with his old friend and colleague, Wendo, the perfect finishing touch for this rumba pioneers' summit. (Afropop.org editor Banning Eyre) —Courtesy Calabash Music
