Pas Mal +

Pas Mal + was founded by Jean-Paul Kilosho (lead guitar) and Yannick Koy (lead vocals) in 1994. It started as a typical rumba-soukous band, but evolved quickly into a true African world-music group. This was achieved by incorporating music elements from the African diaspora, such as Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, swing and Brazilian music. However the lyrics of the songs are predominantly in Lingala with a bit of French, and the singing style remains in the Congolese tradition. All these elements blend into an original type of music that appeals to a very wide audience.

The members of the band are quite well-known in the Belgian-African music world as most of them are or were part of important groups such as Zap Mama, Afra Sound Stars, Formule 1, Afro-Soukous, etc.

Pas Mal + has toured extensively in Belgium, playing in all kinds of venues: big festivals (Couleur Café, Francofolies), smaller festivals (Brocante de Matonge, Pili-Pili, Vénerie) clubs and even private parties. It has also been involved as backup band for such renowned artists as Papa Wendo, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Jeff Bodart in several important shows.

The band has been featured in a 2004 documentary on RTBF (1001 Couleurs).

— Courtesy Calabash Music