Benn loxo reader and contributor, Fabián, comes through again with some great music by Congolese musicians living in Kenya during the 1970s. I’ve also included a few tracks from my own collection to beef-up the post.

I love reading the stories about how all these bands and the personalities behind them are connected. This is especially true when you’re talking about a relatively small group, Conogolese musicians living in Nairobi during the 1970s and early 80s.

Pepelepe was formed by ex-members of Baba Gaston’s Baba Nationale who had recently moved to Nairobi from Zaire in the early 1970s.

Jim Monimambo formed the Boma Liwanza offshoot, Special Liwanza, in Nairobi in 1976. I would love to get some more Boma Liwanza music. Anyone up for a trade?

Monimambo also wrote and performed for Orchestra Shika Shika, another group that had formed in 1980s in the aftermath of Boma Liwanza’s break-up.

I’ve included some Orchestra Mazemba since they were one of the leading Congolese bands in Kenya during the 1970s and 80s.

Finally, something from the Kenya and Tanzania natives, Simba Wanyika, so we can hear how it wasn’t just the Congolese playing that pre-benga, early soukous style in 1970s Nairobi.

Thanks to Benn loxo reader, Cheeku, and Matt over at Matsuli Music for first introducing me to Shika Shika and the various Liwanzas. And thanks, Fabián, for the continuing contributions.

You can find more info by people who know a lot more about this era than I do here and here.

Orchestre Pepelepe - Mulambo
Orchestre Special Liwanza - Mwale parts 1 & 2
Orchestre Shika Shika - Diabanza
Orchestre Shika Shika - Ivete parts 1 & 2
Orchestre Super Mazembe - Kassongo
Simba Wanyika - Shilingi maua tena maua

More today from the seemingly endless of supply of great music on the Original Music series.

Today’s tracks come from the compilation, I’ve Found My Love: 1960’s Guitar Band Highlife of Ghana.

“King” Kwabena Onyina is one of the unsung heroes of Ghanaian guitar band highlife. He was well-known in his native Ghana during the 1950s, 60s and 70s for his guitar playing, great voice and catchy songwriting.

The “King” bit is a title he earned from winning a guitar competition in 1961. (You can thank the unsung hero of African music reviews, Banning Eyre, for that factoid.)

I know nothing about the Royal Brothers. Anyone care to fill us in?

Have a nice weekend.

King Onyina - Manya Me Dofo
Royal Brothers - Ohia Woa Enwu

Benn loxo reader, David, suggested in a comment a few posts back that I check-out the new Kenge Kenge release from the World Music Network’s “Introducing…” series. A nice find; thanks for the heads-up.

Kenge Kenge play traditional music from Kenya’s Luo ethnic group mixed with a heavy dose of benga and contemporary African sounds à la Konomo No. 1. The group’s name apparently is Luo for a “fusion of small, exhilarating instruments”. Indeed. I bet these guys would be amazing live.

The background vocals also remind me of one of my all-time favourite African bar songs, Meiway’s Miss Lolo. Ah, the lost glory days of late, late nights at Chez Diamy…

You can grab it on emusic. These guys are also featured on World Music Network/Rough Guide’s excellent compilation, The Rough Guide to the Music of Kenya.

While you’re at it, check-out this great video of a Luo dance in southern Sudan. I think the videographer has a bit of a crush on the tall girl, though..

Kenge Kenge - Kenge Kenge

Keeping with the Afro-South American theme, Benn loxo reader, Fabián, takes us to his native Colombia for some music by Cumbia of San Basilio de Palenque. This music comes from Cartagena, Colombia.

I briefly met some nice Colombians in Copacabana, Bolivia, a few weeks back. I’ve always wanted to go there.. I have visions of a Nicaragua to Colombia roadtrip circa 2008.

Anyway, been in and out town with no time in between. Apologies for the sporadic posting..

Fabián is looking for a copy of this album on the Hit Parade 2 - Tcheza label. If you know where to find it please leave a comment.

Cumbia Palenquera - Las Mujeres Amargadas

I just got back from a great trip to Buenos Aires, various parts of Bolivia and Lima. I spent the bulk of my time on the Bolivian Altiplano, so it’s nice to take a deep breath after spending a couple weeks at 3000-5000m­.

Don’t worry, I won’t be posting any pan flute music.

I was actually hoping to find some early Bolivian rock nacional or criolla but didn’t have much time for crate digging. Instead, I stumbled upon some good Afro-Peruvian music, better known as musica criolla or musica negra. As the name implies, musica criolla is a style developed by the descendants of African slaves brought over to work in South America by the Spanish.

I had heard some Afro-Peruvian stuff before thanks to David Byrne’s Soul of Black Peru release on Luaka Bop. I was particularly struck by Lucila Campos.. beautiful voice.

Today we’ll hear more music by Campos, plus some by criolla greats Abelardo Vasquez, Oscar Avilés and Arturo “Zambo” Cavero. All of them are in their 60s now, part of an older generation of pre-synth, pre-reggaeton, Spanish and African-influenced musicians. Great stuff.

I’m by no means an authority on this style so if you’d like to learn more check-out some of the music at Afropop.

Lucila Campos & Oscar Avilés - Mayoral
Arturo “Zambo” Cavero - El Alcatraz
Abelardo Vasquez y Cumanana - Prendeme la Vela