Jazz Crazy Records

An Archive of Early Jazz on 78 RPM

“Bembeleza Mapendo” – Mwenda Jean Bosco – Beautiful African Fingerstyle Guitar 🎸

Beautiful fingerstyle guitar work by the master of the style, Congolese artist Mwenda Jean Bosco.

The title translates loosely to “Soothing Love” and the lyrics give relationship advice and moral guidance to women that reflect gendered norms such as humility, emotional labor, and loyalty.

Kama anasirika we mama humupeze
If he is angry, calm him down.

Kama ya panacheka we mama rudisha tena
If he is not smiling, make him smile again

Kama uko na kiburi kwa bwana hakuna pesa
If you act proud to your man, there is no money

Mbele za mapendo kwa bwana hupate pesa.
Show acts of love to your man to get money

Believed to have been recorded circa 1958.
Released as Gallotone CO.200.

Credits:
Mwenda Jean Bosco – guitar, vocals
Unknown Artist – percussion

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *