Kwassa Kwassa

Kanda Bongo Man | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000061N
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,008 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > World Music > Africa > Soukous
  • #20 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo
  • #96 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Africa

Track Listings

1. Sai

2. Cantique

3. Naloti

4. Lowazo

5. Lela-Lela

6. Bedy

7. Liza

8. Lisote

9. Belle Amie

10. Ebeneza

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Soukous, November 14, 2000

By 

Ed Gibbon www.congocookbook.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kwassa Kwassa (Audio CD)

"Kwassa Kwassa" refers to a dance that was very popular in Zaire (Congo) in the late 1980's and was much popularized by this record. The words "Kwassa Kwassa" might have come from the French "Quoi ça?" (What's that?) and the album cover lends support to this idea (see the lower right corner). If you want a very well played soukous (Congolese dance) album, this is it. Much of the credit must go to guitarist Diblo Dibala, whose riffs are unforgettable, and are the perfect accompaniment for Bongo Man's singing. Circa 1990 you couldn't step outside your house in Central Africa without hearing this record, as every taxi-driver and shop-keeper was playing it. This record is high-energy, exciting, and always uplifting.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Congolese Elegance and Fire, December 1, 1999

By 

Bob Port (Bloomington, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kwassa Kwassa (Audio CD)

This is one of Bongo Man's best CDs - better than his more recent ones - and one my favorite African pop CDs of all time. The songs are catchy and elegant. And the lead guitar, Diblo Dibala, is a genuine star producing classy and complex ostinato riffs that keep grabbing your ear. Another great feature is that you know you are listening to a DANCEBAND - one that plays together every day but today they just went into the studio and recorded. It is not a bunch of hotdogs playing around with overdubbing and studio effects. Warning: You may not fully appreciate this CD til the third or fourth time through - but that's just about the right time, I'd say.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagine a happy river with a smiling sum above, February 25, 2000

By 

Ma WenRui "soukouslover" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kwassa Kwassa (Audio CD)

Soukous are joyous, wonderfully flowing, fast and rhytmic tunes, rooted in latin dance rhytms but with an African heart. Kanda Bongo Man is one of the greatest soukous artists ever and this CD is probably a God-sent gift to all who feel life is beautiful! Get it. Now!