Kinshasa comes alive with mega reunion of Congolese Rhumba Legends
Kinshasa, the national and musical capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), went down last Saturday, August 8, featuring big names, including former top members of Franco Luambo Makiadi’s legendary TPOK Jazz band. The event was the most spectacular in the DRC in recent years.
The organisers invited several renowned singers, including Wuta Mayi, formerly of TPOK Jazz. Others are Lita Bembo, Nyboma Mwandido, Reddy Amisi, Faya Tess, Gina Efonge, Mbilia Bel and Theo Blaise Kounkou. They were joined by veteran guitarist Pepe Felly Manuaku.
The event, dubbed “La Nuit Des Legendes De Rhumba” (The Night of Rhumba Legends), took place on Saturday at the Fleuve Congo Hotel in Kinshasa.
According to the organisers, the rhumba festival brought together leading Congolese stars based in Europe. For most of them, it was a nostalgic reunion, as they last performed together several decades ago.
Serge Kayembe, the event coordinator, said in a statement that the event is intended to honour and celebrate the illustrious careers of some of the most prominent living Congolese rhumba artists. The event also aims to help keep the Congolese rhumba legacy alive.
The DR Congo Ministry of Culture and Arts is organising the event, with major sponsors, including the regional mobile phone service provider Airtel. The dress code for the event was black and white.
Paris-based singer Theo Blaise Kounkou is also excited about performing at the festival. Originally from Congo Brazzaville, the tenor-voiced Theo moved to France in the mid-1980s. In a recent interview with the Saturday Nation , Theo revealed that he had been liaising with some of his counterparts in preparation for the concert.
“I’m looking forward to interacting with some artists I last met in Kinshasa over four decades ago,” he said earlier. Before moving to Paris, he was based in Abidjan in the All Africa Stars band with Sam Mangwana, Moya Rimgo and Lokassa ya Mbongo.
Theo said he had begun rehearsing some of his popular songs, including Eden , Mwana Djambal a and Belle Amicha , for the upcoming show.
Veteran guitarist Maika Munan was among those at the forefront, providing backup guitar for most of the musicians performing at the Rhumba festival. He teamed up with his compatriot, Suzy Kaseya. “Our job will be to make sure our visiting colleagues from Europe have all the guitar support they need,” he said.
Maika is also a music producer, songwriter and arranger. He has performed with many top Congolese groups, particularly Tabu Ley’s Afrisa International Band.
Congolese songstress Mbilia Bel.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He performed alongside former African colleagues Mbilia Bel and Faya Tess. Based in Paris, Faya Tess was joined by the mercurial guitarist Caien Madoka, with whom she has recorded most of her latest solo material.
Also travelling from Paris were the singers Nyboma Mwandido and Wuta Muyi, who performed together in the 4 Stars alongside other session groups.
Pepe Felly Manuaku, a member of the Original Zaiko Langa Langa band formed in 1969, arrived early in Kinshasa to prepare for the mega event. Manuaku, who lives in Switzerland.
Speaking to the Saturday Nation earlier, he said that he was looking forward to reuniting with and performing alongside his former Zaiko Langa counterparts. These include Gina Efonge, Bozi Boziana, Nyoka Longa, Jossart, and Evoloko Jocker.
"I decided to come to Kinshasa early to rehearse special songs for the festival," Manuaku said. Accompanying him on the tour is his musical partner, Wanuke Tshisabi. After leaving Zaiko Langa Langa, Manuaku formed the splinter group Grand Zaiko Wawa in 1980. Some of his most popular songs include 'Eka ya Pamba', 'Mindondo' and 'Mwasi ya Solo'.
Other notable entertainers present at the show were the Brussels-based singers Lita Bembo and Malage du Lugendo.
This was the group that took the Congolese music scene by storm, releasing hit songs such as “Kaba”, “Jeune Wangata” and “Yefole”. He was also well known for his antics during his stage shows. Malage rose to fame when he sang on the legendary Lutumba Simaro’s popular song, 'Testament ya Bowule'. He later joined the band Orch Zaiko Langa Langa, and is currently performing with the Belgium-based Odemba Ok All Stars.
Reddy Amisi, a former member of Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica band, also performed.
In another interesting development, some former members of the Grand Empire Bakuba band of the late, burly superstar, Pepe Kalle Yampanya, graced the show. These include Lofombo Gode, Dilu Dilumona, Papy Tex, and Djuna Mumbafu. Lofombo, who now lives in Paris, who was looking forward to the homecoming reunion with his former colleagues. According to Lofombo, he and the others were due to arrive in Kinshasa last night (Friday).
