Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous [Enhanced]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: World Music Network
• ASIN: B00004U1GL
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,294 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > World Music > Africa > Soukous
  • #27 in Music > World Music > Africa > Zaire & Congo

Track Listings

1. Cooperation

2. Amie Mamibo

3. Loi

4. Saï

5. Sarah

6. Marie Jose

7. La Vie

8. Naji

9. Sanga Mbele Mbele

10. Overdose

11. Ma Cherie

12. Bilanga

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soukous from the Heart of Darkness!, March 5, 2002

By 

Zekeriyah (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous (Audio CD)

Explaining Soukous is hard. Soukous are a style of African music, based off Rumba, that originated in the Congo and spread out across the rest of the continent. After hearing this CD, a wonderful compilation from the Rough Guides, you will definately understand why Soukous were popular enough to spread across Africa! This CD gives a great overview of Soukous, focusing on selections from the Congo.
All the music on this CD is dancey and upbeat, like Soukous should be. Several big names, including Franco, Sam Mangwana, Koffi Olomide and Papa Wemba appear on this CD, giving classical performances. Indeed, I'd say that "Cooperation" is easily one of the most popular Soukous of all time. Old and new appear side by side on this CD. If you are unfamilar with Soukous, or even the music of the Congo in general, you should consider buying this CD. Its a magnificent introduction to Soukous. And even if you don't speak Lingala, you will find yourself addicted to this music.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!, May 14, 2003

By 

Geoff "thephantom75" (Orange, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous (Audio CD)

I love soukous and this is one of my favorite soukous albums. It has great songs from all the best-known soukous artists. Soukous shares the same shuffling, stacato backbeat as Cuban rhumba, but also features glittering, cascading guitars that are very impressive. In addition to this, the horns and the vibrant vocals (which are usually sung in Portuguese, French, Lingala, English or all of the above!), make soukous irresistable! This album not only has great songs, from great artist, but the sound quality is great and the liner notes are very informative! Truly beautiful music! Worth every penny; Buy it!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dance to the Music!, August 21, 2000

By 

David Kleist - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous (Audio CD)

This stupendous collection of current soukous/rumba music is filled with the complex cascading electric guitar riffs, jazzy saxophones, soulful singing, and pounding, complex rhythms which makes this music popular all over the African continent. A society so filled with political and economic chaos is bound to generate joyful music to alleviate the pain and give hope to life: boy, these songs do so with a vengeance! Such buoyant, danceable, listenable, energetic rhythms will cure the blues even on the darkest of days. Rejoice with this CD!