Customer Reviews

Missa Luba

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
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Ever since I saw "If" in the San Francisco of the late summer of 1968, the music has haunted. I still have the vinyl copy with the same cover shown on the CD. Had seen it sell for upwards of $70. Have checked frequently and even emailed Phillips about putting out a CD of this classic. Hallelujah, it is out. A beautiful record which has had "tribute bands" attempt to copy. The copies are pale. Maybe it is the memories it can still evoke 40 years later. The drums, the voices, the melodies. Revived. A very powerful record.

In the early 1960s, I was an undergraduate at Stanford. The Beat influence still existed in northern California and St Michael's Alley was Palo Alto's coffee house. I used to sit there with my friends, drink one dollar cups of coffee (when gasoline was twenty-five cents a gallon) and listen to the exotic music played over the sound system. That was where I first heard Missa Luba and I was stunned. What was this amazing music? Enough small talk. Find the manager. "What is this music? I have to have it." I bought the album as soon as I could find it and I have it still. For many years I have been looking for a reissue on CD. Two days ago I learned it had been reissued and today, thanks to Amazon's two-day shipping, I am listening to the CD. As another reviewer wrote, this is like nothing else you've ever heard: pure, clean, uplifting, ethereal - spiritual and rhythmic - hypnotizing. If heavy metal is your favorite music, stay away from this CD. But if your tastes are more subtle, give it a try.

I don't play vinyl anymore so it's been a long time since I've heard this music. Worth the wait. Play it loud, stand up, cry...the sacred comes to earth as Congolese boys perform Latin chants. Put another way it's the crossroads of medieval and world music, like nothing I've ever heard. This is polished stuff, not rough with coughs or false starts. Stretch out with headphones, pump it up while you make dinner. This has something rare. This has life.

The original Missa Luba was created by Father Guido Haazen and a group of young Congolese singers, Les Troubadours du Roi Baudoin. Their name is a reminder of colonial exploitation of the Congo by the Belgians. Unlike many of his fellow Europeans, Father Haazen heard the beauty of the local music and adapted the Latin mass to it to create a unique and magnificent fusion. With both the Latin mass and Congolese folk music nearly gone, this may never happen again. Highly recommended!

I remember in the early 60's when I was about 17, having an argument with my english grammar school art teacher, Paul Bagshaw, about what was good music. I was trying to persuade him that John Mayall, the Animals, the Yardbirds, and Howlin Wolf would be all the music you could ever need. He said, "Here, listen to this," and loaned me a copy of Missa Luba. I was floored by it and promised myself then, that I would always try to stay awake to lots of different kinds of music. I've tried to keep my ears open ever since. Thank you, Mr. Bagshaw.

Missa Luba, a mass sung in pure congolese style and native songs of the congo. Sung by les troubadours du roi baudouin.

Like so many of the other reviewers, I first discovered this album on vinyl in the mid-1960s, when I was in search of old and alternative liturgical music. It's important to note that these pieces are done in a 'pure congolese' style. Among other things, that means they sound much different from the Talisman renderings of modern compositions such as the Baba Yetu Swahili version of the Lord's Prayer. Even in tracks 8 - 13, comprising the mass itself, one hears the style of cantor and choral response so common in early American work songs, which were developed along the original African models. There is also none of the ethereal 'Avatar' type music based on aboriginal instruments and patterns, but with modern instrumentation. This is the genuine article. Our only regret is that it is as short as it is. It is such a delight to see the music live on, even if the film which borrowed some of the music, 'IF', has slipped into the shadows of our memory.

I have been familiar with this recording for many years. I have a LP of it and wanted a CD so I could take it with me. The African songs are simply beautiful! The Missa Luba itself is so unusual, especially if you are familiar with the songs as sung in a more conventional setting. It strikes me the same way that "Silent Night" is performed by Stevie Nicks - magnificent!

I have not heard this music in over 20 years. I am so glad it came out on CD at last. It is not dated one bit as is often the case in music that came out in the 60's. it has been on my cd player since i got it. for all those who have been waiting, enjoy, for new listener, prepare to be blown away.

I first heard this about 45 years ago. Loved it. Bought the vinyl. Portions of it have periodically popped into my head since then. I am delighted to have found this CD. I bought 6 of them to share with friends. They are thrilled. I am thrilled.

I first heard this music in the movie If in 1968. It took my breath away. I have been through 2 vinyl disks and have been without for 20 years.

Finally, the CD is available.

This music is worth listening to. I hope you buy it.