Album review

Roots Of Rumba Rock

Paris 

21/12/2006 - 

Roots Of Rumba Rock is a compilation designed to plunge listeners back into the heart of Congo’s rumba mania, an age when the sounds of soukouss and n’dombolo had yet to be invented. This is the soundtrack that animated the hot steamy nights of Léopoldville (the future Kinshasa) in the pre-independence years – and it makes just as compelling listening now as it ever did!

The compilation, masterminded by Vincent Kenis, the celebrated producer and world music scout from Crammed Discs, features 40 tracks tracing rumba’s rich and chequered history. This incredibly dense repertoire reflects the popularity of the urban sound which went on to rule much of the African continent for decades - and remains a solid favourite on dancefloors across the land today.

Made up of tracks originally released as 78 rpms on the Loningisa label, Congo Classics 1953-1955 bears the stamp of authenticity and shines with the special patina of cherished memories. Many of the songs on the album are absolute classics, performed by the legendary purveyors of rumba pleasure. These include Bowane, Loningisa’s big star vehicle in the years before OK Jazz, who immortalised Nyokuma (a song covered in the 1970s by modern rumba king Papa Wemba).

Thrill to the sounds of the likembe (as the local thumb piano is known),  feel the beat of the Cuban clave and listen out for favourites from the legendary El Manicero, from Maître Taureau, dancer and talent-spotter extraordinaire, the gravely-voiced De Wayon and Pierre Kalima, who forged a brilliant reputation on the keyboard at a time when pianos were barely to be found in town. Those inspired to find out more about the golden age of rumba should have a close read of the accompanying CD booklet which details fascinating aspects of the lifestyle of the time.

Roots Of Rumba Rock Congo Classics 1953-1955 (Crammed Discs) 2006

Patrick  Labesse