When I first heard this track by Léon Bukasa on the amazing Planet Ilunga release “The Soul of Congo – Treasures of the Ngoma label (1948-1963)” I was immediately a huge fan.
From the first bass line, you know this is going to be a good. and then when the guitar joins in, you realize it’s even better.
I despaired at probably never being able to locate a copy of this amazing record but was incredibly lucky to find a very decent copy earlier this year.
Sung in the Tshiluba language spoken in the central Kasai region.
Recorded in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo on May 6, 1957.
Released as Ngoma 1789.
Credits:
Léon Bukasa – guitar, vocals
Kalombo Albino – vocals
Antoine Nedule aka Papa Noël – guitar
Mwena Joseph – bass
The flip side of this record, “Francisque Wa Ngai” can be heard at:
https://youtu.be/TtOofKHKWoA
If you are also a fan of Rumba Congolaise, you will want a copy of this release:
https://planetilunga.bandcamp.com/album/the-soul-of-congo-treasures-of-the-ngoma-label-1948-1963
If you’d like to hear more, be sure to check out my interview with producer Alastair Johnson:
https://youtu.be/2BSsWpb49AA
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