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Kinshasa Update: June, 2003
Here's the latest Kinshasa news from our correspondent Kavlo Madikani. Kavlo has been keeping up with the doings of Werrason and J.B. Mpiana and others. He also gives us an update on Papa Wemba's legal situation, and the widening investigation into visa fraud affecting Congolese musicians in France. Plus, we get a blustery interview with Madilu System, still smarting from the messy aftermath among Franco's musicians following his death back in 1989. Kavlo winds up with a recent list of top selling songs in Kinshasa.
WERRASON MADE THE POLITICIANS DANCE AT SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA (4/9/2003)
Werrason and his ensemble Wenge Maison Musica Mère arrived in Sun City on a Sunday in early April, invited by from politicians to gladden the Inter-Cogolese Dialog Closing Ceremony. The following Wednesday, from 10 PM to 2 AM, in the presence of many heads of state, Werrason and his musicians, like angry big game, electrified the main room at the Les Cascades Hotel in Sun City.
Oh, you should seen how these politicians, once sworn enemies, hugged one another under the softening musical effect produced by Werra's group. The former RCD/Goma and Mlc rebels have been particularly intoxicated with the musical sounds. Something unusual happened: the Les Cascades Hotel waitresses went out of control and had to give up trays and uniforms for the dance. Everybody danced including the most serious Inter-Congolese Dialog Mediator, Senegalese Moustapha Niasse. He decided to set his "excellency" status aside and show off some "Koyimbiko" dance steps, winning the audience's applause. It was great! Cardinal Etshou also attended the ceremony, although he did not take off his cassock....
With reference to the repertoire, Werra first sang two patriotic songs. the first of which was in French and the other in Lingala. He then moved on to some old hits by Grand Kallé and Rochereau Tabu Ley and the fetish rumba Chantal "Switzerland" before proceding with the group's recent songs featuring Koyimbiko dancing driven by a thrilling rhythm. Werrason is already preparing the release of a new album that will mark six years of Wenge MMM's existence. His present album A La Queu Leu Leu is still doing very well.
Werrason is working uninterruptedly to make the arrangements for the new album successful. Once the work is over, he plans to record the basic tracks (maquette) here in Kin and fly it off to Europe for programming. He's going to work with four arrangers so he can put forward a high quality job that will please his fans and melomaniacs from all walks of life. The album will be produced by Jean-Pierre Saah, the boss of JPS Production disk store. It has to be noted that Kibuisa Mpimpa is the first Werra's album that got him a lot of happiness, merits and contracts. It convinced hardly everybody in terms of art and its sound quality was very nice.
Phénomène Ngulu (Update)
Papa Wemba's fate is likely to be decided soon. One of the greatest living figures in the Congolese musical history was arrested for immigration rackeerting. Inestigations are still being conducted and the French police, who are determined to break up this network. Several persons are reported to have been arrested in France in the aftermath of Papa Wemba's arrest, namely JDK Décor and two members of his family, Auguy Ibanda, Cornélie Malongi, Freddo Mapatibi and Jean-Jacques Nsiku. They have been betrayed by the very persons they helped to fly into France.
This wave of arrest continues. Other Congolese band leaders are said to be listed in the French justice black record file. A case is reportedly being made up for arrest warrants against them. There's a bad wind blowing in Europe against Congolese musicians. As evidence, young Congolese artists were arrested in series in April. Many of them were released soon afterward.
It is worth remembering that the first to have been arrested was singer Shulay from Zaïko Langa Langa. He and a dancer rode ran across police officers who interrogated them on their way to a performance. After taking his fingerprints, they discovered that Shulay was wanted. He was kept in detention for a couple of days and finally had to be released because the girl who brought a legal action against him was found to have died. In addition, three musicians from Koffi Olimide's Quartier Latin have experienced police interrogation. They are: Buro Mpela, Patty Assaba and Binda Bass. The first two got a surprise police visit in a night joint the day "Le Grand Mopao" Koffi Olomide introduced his new Affaire d'Etat album to the press.
JB MPIANA AND WENGE BCBG IN SOUTH AFRICA TO CONTINUE THE RECORDINGS OF NEW ALBUM, ANTI-TERRO
Le souverain Bin Adam and his musicians are concerned about the quality of the coming album Anti-Terro . That's why they brought in sophisticated recording facilities from Europe to improve the sound quality. Jules Kubens (a.k.a. "Professeur" Kubens), the artistic director of Wenge BCBG, went on a Kin-Brazza-Kin trip some days ago, in search of whatever he could find to improve the album. The group is working at Icea Studio, one of the best studios. According to Mr. Dadet, the person in charge of the marketing, the band will fly to South Africa to continue the recordings before moving to Europe.
JB Mpiana will leave for Europe alone where he is supposed to join five of his PPU. That's the Presidential Protection Unit, a name once applied to the members of security force under the junior president Kabila administration (1997-2000). They were very brave, hard workers, although most of them were rather small and young. J.B. Mpiana uses the term nowadays to refer to the young talented musicians he has recruited into his band to make up for departed senior musicians. Werreson has a similar organisation called "Opération Dragon."
Manda Chante Super Star in London
Wenge Référence boss Manda Chante is currently staying in London where he's preparing to get back home for the release of his album Onction. He has done a titanic job and is in great demand for play-backs and other intimate and recreational meetings in London where he enjoys numerous fans. He is guided by a dynamic committee that includes Funa and Tshangu. Manda is produced by Patrick Mazele under the direction of Gabin Maness.
Awilo Longomba soon in Kinshasa
Awilo Longomba, one of the best Congolese Diaspora musicians, hopes to fly back in Kinshasa with an entire team of musicians. After conquering many African stadiums, the artist's next target is the Martyrdom Stadium 80,000 seats). Awilo says he is eager to fill up the stadium at all costs. He has been able to do it in many eastern, western and southern African stadiums. His music is widely appreciated throughout Africa.
A resident of France, Longomba long performed in the DRC as a member of Viva La Musica, where he was a matchless drummer. He had flown to Europe with that group. Some years ago, Awilo was part of a rival group that branched off from Viva La Musica to create "La Nouvelle Généraiton" which lived very shortly though they thrilled Kinshasa dwellers on their days. Each of them went for a personal solo career after the band had split up. Awilo Longomba is the only one to have emerged in the World Music among his colleagues.
Madilu Système reveals
Singer Madilu Jean de Dieu Bialu is in Kinshasa preparing his band's next album titled Tenant du Titre. The following is Kavlo's English translated version of the telephone interview that Madilu, "Le Grand Ninja," had with Mr. José Mpaka Ikombe, a Visa 2000 newspaper member of staff.
Visa: What is the real motive for your staying in Kinshasa?
Madilu: I returned in a hurry in Kinshasa to settle some family matters. So I took advantage took of the opportunity to give a new structure to my orchestra. From now on, Multi-Système will be called Ok Système. In addition I have reinforced my group with new elements. Rehearsals are held at 28, Makere street, Yolo in Kalamu commune. It was in that house that I made my début in solo career with my side band Multi-Système. We are already preparing the first album of Ok Système titled Tenant du Titre. It is made up of my musicians' songs only.
Visa: Why did you re-baptise your band?
Madilu: You should know that four years after the death of Franco, we defended Franco's and Tout Puissant Ok Jazz's names skilfully. Since my colleagues' massive departure from TP Ok Jazz to create Bana Ok, while they discharged me, neither OK Jazz, nor Bana OK, has been able to honour the memory the departed. Lovers of the Odemba Kilo ya Kinshasa rhythm have been disappointed for ten years. Only my songs make them feel at home. I state it loudly and straightforward that those who pretend to be Franco's heirs grasping OK name for themselves have done nothing. That's why ten years after, I decided to regain control with a view to satisfying fans of Luambo Makiadi's style. I openly declare through Visa paper that I am the true Odemmba, kilo ya Kinshasa, and Luambo's heir. I will prove it with my orchestra OK Système. Time will show. Everybody will be satisfied.
Visa: How many titles will there be on Tenant du Titre ?
Madilu: I can't tell you now because we are still selecting songs. But there are three songs that are already sure: "Gigolo," "Ndoki somba liwa," and "Cathérine." …We welcome anyone who can defend Franco's style. I'm also recruiting professional wind instrumentalists and keyboard players.
Visa: Will you be able to defend Franco's image and style right with your band?
Madilu: You can be certain that I have made arrangements already in terms of art and organisation to carry out what Luambo Makiadi trusted me with, the challenge of defending, as I said earlier, the TPOK Jazz style: "kilo ya Kinshasa."
Visa: What are your and your band's plans for the future?
Madilu: I am returning to Europe on Sunday, April 20th, 2003 and will come back to Kinshasa on May 15th. The recording of Tenant du Titre will be made here in the Capital City Kinshasa. I should like to launch my musicians on this occasion through this piece of work. Once they become known and discovered on the national and global scale, they will be able to face American, African and European melomaniacs (fans). My name is already famous on the disk market. I'd like to come on the prominent position with my musicians on the musical scene. Before I return to Europe, I will give a press conference. OK Système will be introduced in the public on June 6 at the Grand Hotel de Kinshasa. I have chosen that date because it coincides with the 37th TPOK Jazz anniversary. Any musician who served in TPOK Jazz will be invited. It will be the big "Odemba Kilo ya Kinshasa" party.
Visa: Any word to finish off the interview?
Madilu: People should know that Franco and I were living a father-and-son life. Before his death, he empowered me to lead his band. During his absence, I had given over 50 concerts in the USA and I had been very successful. So he nicknamed me "Système," and I'm still defending him up to now. I did not intend to seize control of TPOK Jazz because my colleagues were jealous. In order to destabilise me, they gave me a three-month forced leave, up to their massive departure that led to the creation of Bana OK. Left alone with the TPOK Jazz after my discharge, I wanted to achieve my mission, but Luambo's family did not give me a chance. So I decided to go for a solo career.
There has come a time for everybody to dance the real "Odemba, kilo ya Kinshasa" rhythm with Madilu Jean de Dieu Bialu and Ok Système. I was sad and an orphan after Luambo's death. No one liked me. But God has gotten them into confusion now. One can never change history. I have obtained power and fortune. I will make these assets available for fans… I call on all Luambo Makiadi lovers to support Ok Système and me so together, we will carry out the mission he had trusted to me. The implementation of that mission had been checked by the jealous, but no more.
A Recent Kinshasa Chart
1) "A la queue leu leu" Werrason and Wenge MMM (JPS)
2) "Yo nani?" Wazekwa and Culrur'A Pays Vie (JPS)
3) "Eureka" Nyoka Longo and Zaiko Langa Langa (JPS)
4) "Compteur à zero" La Casa de Canao (Sonodisc)
5) "Nouvel Ordre" Emeneya and Victoria DTDB (Lusafrica)
6) "Eboulement Total" Marie-Paul and Wenge El Paris (Sonica)
7) "4 Coins Kandala" Sam Tshintu and Academia (Afro Media)
8) "Oui, Ca Va" Josky and Bana OK (Clarys Music)
9) "Effrakata" Koffi Olomide and Quartier Latin (Sonodisc)
10) "Bonheur" Madilu and R. System (JPS)
11) "Dinanga" Tshala Mwana (Edicom)
12) "Welcome" Mbilia Bel (Globe Music)
13) "Nkila Magrosso" Papa Wemba and Nouvelle Ecrita (Gillette D'or)
14) "Kibwisa Mpimpa" Werrason and Wenge MMM (JPS)
15) "Internet" J.B. Mpiana Wenga BCBG (SIPE)
Contributed by: Kavlo Wadigesila
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