Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: October 23, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

Verckys. Not my photo.

WELCOME!

Today we celebrate music by and produced by Verckys, Kiamuangana Mateta.

Composer, saxophonist, singer, arranger, innovative producer, promoter and publisher of great Congolese music.

You may know him from his work with Franco and O.K. Jazz in the late 60s. You may know his song Nakomitunaka, a song that has become an African icon.

Today we’ll listen to his saxophone, his compositions, his music and some bands that he helped rise to the top in the 1970s and beyond.

It’s our fall 2022 fund drive here at WRIR and I’m bringing you music by one of the giants.

You’ll only hear programming like this on WRIR. Your donations keep it coming!

Thank you!

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    October 23rd, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: October 9, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

WELCOME!

Today we start with something new from Reddy Amisi.

Read my review of the album here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10223547311890690&set=a.3993262549750

We’ll feature some of the invited artists as well as….MORE!

As you all in Richmond return home from the Folk Festival this afternoon, crank this up and keep the vibes positive.

You can always hit the archives this evening or any time. Go to the archives on this page and hear the whole thing if you missed it!

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    October 9th, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: August 28, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

Brazzaville city | © Victoire Douniama

WELCOME!

Hot music for a hot day.

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    August 28th, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: August 14, 20022 3:00-5:00 PM

Choc Stars

WELCOME!

I have a good mix for you today, starting with a rare track by the great Pamelo Mounk‘a, Pamelo’s music is often requested, but this one goes out to a long-time listener in Detroit.

We have other songs from rare albums by Choc Stars, Assi Kapela and another cut, by request from an African All Stars album recorded in Benin and led by Dizzy Mandjeku.

New music from Ferre Gola, a good long track by JB M’Piana and more.

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    August 14th, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: July 31, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

Some albums for today

WELCOME!

The Congolese music is over the place today with lots of modern references to the real rumba of the past.

Empire Bakuba, Didier Lacoste, Extra Musica, Monza 1er and more.

BTW: I’ve had this Vicky Longomba CD on repeat for days….my kind of music.

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    July 31st, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: July 17, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

WELCOME!

Something different today!

We start off with something from Emeneya & Boulhos Loupino, some thing from Viva la Musica.

Then more!

From animations to folklore. Some obscure choices, some well known.

Boketshu 1er, Yamba Yamba Beto-Ba, Antoine Moundanda, Baloji, Konono No. 1, Werrason, ZAO, Franco & OK Jazz in the mix.

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    July 17th, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: July 3, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

Joyeux anniversaire à Papy Tex Matolu !

WELCOME!

I have a few requests in the mix today.

Enjoy the music!

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    July 3rd, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music

Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music presents:

Ambiance Congo: June 19, 2022 3:00-5:00 PM

   Shiko Mawatu                                                                                               Lubangi Muniania

WELCOME!

Today we have a special edition of Ambiance Congo. Today we honor Shiko Mawatu, a great musician and composer whose long and prolific career has been much respected and appreciated by his peers. He has played guitar, sang, composed and arranged music with many of his great contemporaries from Docteur Nico to Pepe Kalle, from Tshala Muana to Madilu System. Before a stroke some 12 or so years ago, he embarked upon a solo career and recorded his wonderful album, KIMBANDA NZILA, which was released in 2007 and nominated in 2008 for the NAACP Image Award. His song MANU was in 2012 awarded the Grand Prize in the World Music category in the John Lennon Song Writing Contest.

Shiko Mawatu has dedicated his formidable talents to music that preserves and advances the rumba odemba of Franco, Rochereau and Nico.

We are joined here this day, via recorded interview, by Shiko Mawatu’s producer and friend, Mr. Lubangi Muniania.

Lubangi Muniania is an African Art Historian, specializing in the visual and performing arts of Africa. He has contributed to the award-winning documentary The Rumba Kings. He has worked as a Director of Education at the Museum for African Art in New York, African Art Education consultant for the Art Institute of Chicago, Saint Louis Museum of Arts, other museums, festivals, and cultural centers. Mr. Muniania has written articles for newspapers, essays for museum publications and universities. He is currently the president of Tabilulu Productions.

Lubangi will contribute history and insight that we could otherwise only get from Shiko himself.

He has been working with Shiko to produce a new album which is expected in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you, Shiko Mawatu, for creating the amazing music that I have enjoyed for about 40 years and still listen to often today. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve reached for and played again a record that still stands today due to your contributions. You have greatly enriched my life with your talents.

Thank you, Lubangi Muniania for agreeing to speak with us today and for supporting Shiko’s efforts to carry on in his efforts to keep great musical traditions fresh and alive.

You are invited to add your comments, greetings and well wishes for Shiko in the comments section here.

David Noyes    Ambiance Congo / The Other Black Music    June 19th, 2022

Posted In: Music, Music Shows

Tags: African music, Congolese music