Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:
Founded in December 1969 and still active today, Zaiko Langa-Langa is now the longest standing Congolese band.
Starting as the Congolese equivalent of a “garage band” alternative to OK Jazz, Afrisa InternationaL, Les Bantous and all of the other big name ’70s rumba combos, their lineups have included many artists who themselves became stars and household staples: Papa Wemba, Evoloko Joker, Dindo Yogo, Nyoka Longo, Mavuela Somo, Beniko Popolipo and many more.
Zaiko dropped the horn section and changed the rhythms and presentation of popular music. In the 1970s, their shows and recordings were directed at a more youthful audience. They dressed accordingly and added the strong atalaku animations that are still so fundamental to modern music. We can still hear their influence in the music of the families Wenge Musica, Viva la Mjusica and Quartier Latin and Extra Musica.
Today we’ll follow their recorded career from the early ’70s into the 21st century, starting with a song from their latest studio album of 2019. There is no possible way to play every one of my favorite Zaiko tracks in two hours – or even six hours – so we have a pared-down and curated selection that I hope that you’ll enjoy.
King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison Dream Team Dream Band, “seben from DORIS ILOKO (theme song)”
from PAS DE CONTACT
Black Music - 1995
Zaiko Langa-Langa, “Ando”
from Oldies And Goodies Tout Choc Zaiko Langa Langa 1974-1978
Bakunde Ilo Productions - 1985
Zaïko Langa-Langa, “Sentiment Awa (1ère version originale)”
from Sentiment Awa, Essesse: Les Plus Grands Succés De L'orchestre Zaïko Langa Langa
Ngoyarto - 2019
1979 single
Zaiko Langa-Langa, “Confiance”
from Gitta Production Presente Tout-Choc Zaïko Langa-Langa
Gitta - 1981
Zaiko Langa-Langa, “Toyambana”
from Eh Ngoss ! Eh Ngoss ! Eh Ngoss !)
PROZAL - Production Zaiko Langa-Langa - 1986
Zaïko Langa Langa, “Déception B.”
from Ici ça va… Fungola motema
PROZAL - Production Zaiko Langa-Langa - 1990
Zaiko Langa-Langa, “Eruption (version longue)”
from Rencontres
PROZAL - Production Zaiko Langa-Langa - 2007
Jossart N'Yoka Longo & Zaiko Langa-Langa Nkolo Mboka, “Boh!”
from Bande-Annonce
Production Editions Prozal - 2011
David Noyes Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music December 29th, 2024
Posted In: Music, Music Shows
Tags: African music, Congolese music