Oct 18/04
Langa Langa what?
During the late 1970s and early 1980s the famous band from Zaire, Zaiko Langa Langa, was in serious trouble. Key members were defecting due to infighting and Papa Wemba’s efforts to steer the group in controversial new directions. The product of all this fighting, however, were several splinter groups that rose from the ashes of the formerly great Zaiko.
One of the better and more successful forks was the Langa Langa Stars. They were started by Isifi Lokole and Yoka Lokole of Zaiko and only lasted from 1981 to 1984. During this time, however, they became legendary, thanks to their amazing 7-part male vocals. The lead vocalists, led by Evoloko Jocker, called themselves the “7 Patrons” (seven bosses or chiefs) of Langa Langa Stars.
I think that the song I’ll post today is by the Langa Langa Stars as led by Evoloko Jocker, former vocalist for Zaiko Langa Langa. One of my readers, Bill, sent me this great tune in hopes that I’d be able to identify it and then post it so that others could help him on his quest to find more like it. If I’m wrong in my guess please let me know.
As far as other albums like it, I suggested this one. Wonderful harmonies.
Evoloko Jocker and the Langa Langa Stars?
Tags: congo
Maybe Papa Wemba was stressing out the band with some of his other activities…
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=peopleNews&storyID=6601523
Excellent, that was really well explained and helpful
i am one of the great fanatic of Evoloko Jocker and I live here in Canada.
I would like to have some of the music of the langa langa stars, how am i going to get them?
Please help me secure this music on cd, dvd , tape as soon as possible.
My e-mail: pablodito@yahoo.com
phone#: 902 477-2242
[...] Ronald wants to hear some Langa Langa What? I think it’s a track called Pétrole by Zaika Langa Langa with Jocker on vocals but please correct me if I’m wrong. And Quieto, I finally re-posted my tales of Guinean Dance Bands and the Circus. Speaking of which, this year’s Nuit Blanche fast approaches… [...]
Matt
The song is called Fievre Mondo and was composed by Evoloko, he recorded it with Zaiko in 1980, this version is from the Langa Langa Stars LP ” La Carte Qui Gagne” from 1985, on this song he is not accompanied by Langa Langa Stars though, but by Zaiko Langa Langa.