JOHNNY BOKELO ISENGE ET SON GROUPE MBONDA AFRICA - Anti Balle (1991)

Tusk, HIM101

Producer: Mme Denise

Recorded at: Studio Diana Music, Paris

Jean ‘Johnny’ Bokelo Isenge was a popular Congolese guitarist who began his music career as a teenager in the 1950s. Recorded in Paris with his band Mbonda Africa and originally released in 1989 on Espera, Anti Balle was one of Bokelo’s last albums before he passed away in 1995. It was released in South Africa in 1991.

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TSHALA MUANA - Nasi Nabali (1991)

Tusk, HIM102

Producer: Tshala Muana & Ben Nyamabo

Recorded at: Studio Diana Music, Paris

One of the central Africa's biggest female stars of her day (along with Mbilia Bel and others), Tshala Muana was born in Lubumbashi in 1957 and started her career as a dancer in Kinshasa in the late 70s. In 1981 she left for Abidjan and then Paris in 1984, where she recorded her debut album Kami. She returned to Kinshasa in 1986 but decided to stay based in Paris. Other albums include La Devine (1987), Munanga (1988), Biduaya (1990), Mutuashi (1996) and Pika Pende (1999). She is currently in the midst of a comeback, releasing Lunzenze in early 2016.

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TABU LEY ROCHEREAU - Face Ä Face (1991)

Tusk, HIH4002

Producers: Tabu Ley, Kayen Madoka & Sam Mbende

Engineers: Pascal Portrell & Franak

Recorded at: Gimmick Studio, Paris

As leader of Orchestra Afrisa and great rival of Franco's TPOK Jazz, Tabu Ley Rochereau was one of Africa's greatest musicians. As a bandleader and composer he helped launch the career of Mbilia Bel, the first female soukous star, marrying her in the process. When Bel went solo he discovered the next soukous diva, Faya Tess, who features on three tracks on Face Ä Face (face to face), billed as 'Le Grand Retour' ('The Great Return') of Rochereau. Packed full of interested synths, the album reflects Rochereau's attempts to keep with the times. The title track got no fewer than two different music videos, as did the catchy duet 'Sosolinga'.

The album was first released in the late 1980s, around the time Rochereau had gone into exile in France, before moving briefly to California in the early 90s. He subsequently returned to Kinshasa after the fall of Mobutu in the late 90s, soon getting into politics. He is said to have fathered well over 50 children, including French rapper Youssoupha. He died in Belgium in November 2013 and is buried in Kinshasa.

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NANA ET BANIEL - Bouger le Coq chante (1991)

Tusk, HIH4001

Producer: Mukubwa Sammy

Engineers: Alan Ward, Mike B. & Tony

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

Congolese female vocal duo Baniel Mbambo and Nana Akumu featured on Franco's TPOK Jazz album Les 'On Dit' in 1987. They later recorded this album together, creating hypnotic vocals over intricate guitar work, groovy baselines, driving rhythms and tasteful horns. Each penned two of the tracks, as did producer Mukubwa Sammy. Titles include 'Tremblement de Terre (Earthquake)' and 'Samantha je suis Trouble'. Originally released on Belgian label Espera. 

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LES CHAMPIONS DU ZAIRE - Hommage a Franco OK Jazz (1991)

Tusk, HIH4000

Producer: Didier Boluwe

Engineer: Alan Ward

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

Congolese soukous from Les Champions du Zaire, paying homage to the legendary Franco Luambo Makiadi and his OK Jazz band (aka TPOK Jazz), one of Africa's most successful bands since their formation in the late 50s. When Franco passed away in October 1989, various incarnations of the band's many members recorded numerous tribute albums, including this one by a group of Franco's touring entourage who were based in Belgium. Led by guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku, the group later evolved into Odemba. Here they put a modern touch on the soukous sound with some added synths.

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KOFFI OLOMIDE - Diva (1991)

Tusk, HIM100

Producer: Koffi Olomide

Engineer: Roland Leclercq

Recorded at: Studio Madeleine, Brussels

One of the most successful and enduring artists to come from the DR Congo, Koffi Olomide was born in Kisangani and studied in France, returning to the Congo in the 70s to join Papa Wemba's band Viva La Musica. In the mid-80s he formed his own band, Quartier Latin International, which later launched the careers of stars like Fally Ipupa and Ferré Gola. Riding the early 'World Music' wave, in 1986 he released Diva on Belgian label Espera. His other early international releases include Ngobila (1986), Les Prisonniers Dorment (1990) and Tcha Tcho (1990), the latter his name of his signature brand of slowed-down souks. 

His albums sold well in Zimbabwe, so in 1991 South African label Tusk (formerly known as WEA) attempted to cash in by selling Diva (as well as other Congolese albums) in South Africa, although the strategy was largely unsuccessful. His more recent albums include the Kora-winning Effrakata (2002), Monde Arabe (2004) and Destiny (2014).

* Mint copies of this album are available for sale here while stocks last.