Customer Reviews

Congo Life

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Kékélé is a star studded Congolese band with vocalists Wuta-Mayi, Nyboma, Bumba Massa, and Loko Massengo with Syran Mbenza playing the acoustic guitar. The sound here is stunning, and the orchestration perfect, including beautifully layered acoustic guitars by Syran and Rigo Star, some tasty accordion spicing from Regis Gizavo of Madagascar, and on some tunes, an all-clarinet horn section (played by Caçau de Queiroz), harking back to the early days of Congolese rumba.
The violins on Loko Massengo's "Bebe Yaourt" is a revelation that this instrument marries well with the smooth vocals of Kékélé. "Souvenirs-OK-Jazz," a Medley of Franco hits is the final drop that spills the bucket of sweetness, it just becomes too much.
Kekele is to music what Real Madrid is to football.

If you like the rhythms of salsa, but not the frenetic speed, you will probably enjoy these Congolese playing, singing, and dancing "Rumba". Intriguing rhythms, and always happy, upbeat; almost impossible not to smile and start moving to it..

How the Congo in the midst of all its struggle and strife, managed to come up with these folks, and many others like them, is a miracle that I am very grateful for, but do not understand.

I'm always surprised and delighted that people who have endured such hardship (political and economic) can produce music so full of joy. When I listen to Kekele, I find myself moving to the rhythm without thinking.

This cd is an especially good selection of songs. If you enjoy this CD, by all means listen to "Rhumba Congo." No doubt, you'll be dancing too!