Feb 25/05

Belle Bella Bella

Matt Yanchyshyn @ 14:24

Orchestra Bella Bella is a classic Congolese rumba group from the 1970s and 80s. They were formed in 1969 by the late Soki Vangu (Maxim Soki) and Soki Dianzenza (Emile Soki). The younger Soki brother, Emile, was only 16 at the time.

They went on to make many recordings during the early 1970s, playing alongside other rumba orchestras in the Zaire scene like Orchestre African Music and Orchestre Lipwa-Lipwa. Pepe Kalle was one of their most well-known members, joining the band in 1972 for a brief stint. Future Congolese stars Kanda Bongo Man and Diblo Dibala also played with Bella Bella in the early 80s.

There are currently three different five-volume “best-ofs” floating around, though I recommend the ones you can buy at Stern’s. Today’s track can be found here and here.

ps- Thanks again, Alex, for the wonderful music.

Orchestre Bella Bella – Tikela Nga Mobali

Tags: congo, rumba

Comments (7) | |

7 Responses to “Belle Bella Bella”

1. Bastien @ 19:41 on 2005-02-26
   

   The podcast link is wrong, it has two “” instead of one. By the way, Podcasting is a really good idea.

2. mattgy @ 19:47 on 2005-02-26
   

   Thanks – I fixed it.

3. Cornelis Nlandu @ 15:26 on 2010-05-05
   

   I’m a fan of this band. I’d like to have some of its songs in mp3. Here’s my mail : cornelisnlandu@yahoo.fr

4. saidi mulinge @ 14:44 on 2010-08-26
   

   zing zong where is it..

5. saidi mulinge @ 14:46 on 2010-08-26
   

   i thought this kanda was one of them’

6. Mebesah Bakunda Steve @ 06:23 on 2010-11-05
   

   Please kindly send to my e-mail address mp3′s of the beautiful Bella Bella songs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   i.e. bakundas@yahoo.com

7. Mebesah Bakunda Steve @ 06:24 on 2010-11-05
   

   This is the band of my youth that inspired me a lot.
   I advise you to listen to their songs.

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