Aug 14/07
Adieu Madilu
Today we have a guest post from Benn loxo listener, CC Smith, in memory of Madilu System:
Bialu Makiese, better known as Madilu System, died suddenly on Aug. 11 in Kinshasa from complications of diabetes. He was 57 years old.
A member of the beefy front line of singers of TPOK Jazz since 1980, Madilu was known as Franco’s favorite singer, and his husky, nuanced baritone was heard on many of Franco’s greatest songs of that era, most notably supplying the lead on “Mario.” (This worldwide hit from 1986 was beautifully reprised by Africando on the 2006 Ketukuba album, again with Madilu on lead vocal.)
Following the death of Franco in 1989 and the dissolution of OK Jazz, Madilu proceeded with a solo career and had just released a new recording, La Bonne Humeur, in Paris this summer. He was also an exceptional harmony vocalist, and frequently joined other singers such as Nyboma, Josky and Malage in duets and lush choral arrangements.
His warm cameo “Tapale” on Kekele’s Kinavana album is one of the delights of that production. But my favorite song by Madilu is “Ya Jean” from his Sans Commentaire album of 1994, a gorgeous heartfelt tribute to Franco Luambo Makiadi with Rigo Star providing the lead guitar on the first section, and Syran Mbenza standing in for the ghost of Franco on the second part, channeling the Grand Maitre’s signature guitar lines as Madilu pours out an anguished wail from the depths of his soul.
CC Smith
The Beat Magazine
[...] Benn loxo du taccureports that Bialu Makiese, better known as Madilu System, a member of Franco’s TPOK Jazz since 1980, died suddenly on Aug. 11 in Kinshasa from complications of diabetes. He was 57 years old. [...]
The Grand Ninja and his music will never die.
dj Nnamdi – Radio Afrodicia kpfk 90.7fm North Hollywood California
Will greatly miss Madilu’s music, got lots of collections by Madilu. MHSRIP
Madilu Multi-System could do it all – carry the band, blend into the chorus, suave but rocking, cool but hot and a balladeer who made the girls weak in the knees.
The Grand Ninja is at once gone, irreplaceable and yet forever with us through his prolific recordings.
We are thankful for what he gave us – joy, what he took from us -our ’soucis’ and what remains – his great body of work.
Adieu Madilu.
Big Red Groove Time (.org) KXLU (.com) 88.9fm Los Angeles
Paix à son âme. La musique est superbe. Merci. Pas creusé assez dans les carrières solo du TPOK jazz; il y en a d’autres ?
I will greatly miss Madilu for his voice and gentle compositions “Malembe Malembe”
DJ Canalh: si, bien sur il y a des autres. Josky, par exemple. Il s’habite toujours a Paris et a fait un nouvel album l’année derniere, “Double Vie” ce quel Madilu et Sam Mangwana ont chanté. Guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku est aussi toujours tres actif. Chanteur Malage de Lugendo aussi…
Mauvaise nouvelle pour mon retour de vacances.
Paix à son âme !
Madilu et Sam Mangwana étaient (avec le légendaire Vicky Logomba) mes chanteurs préférés du TP OK JAZZ
The untimely death of Madilu leaves a tremendous gap in the heart of Congo and for all who loved him. What will we do without his signature infectious laughter in his songs?
Imagine the music they will be making in heaven now that Madilu has joined Franco, Pepe Kalle and those who passed before him…
Adieu….
merci CC Smith !
Mauvaise nouvelle pour mon retour de vacances.
Tu nous as quitte si tot System.
Que ton ame repose en paix Madilu.
It’s very sad but We are greatfull for wat he has done for Congolese music!
Madilu made us happy during our teenage years. He deserve to be appreciated. It is unfortunate that personalities who make people happy die in most cases before their old age. Rest in peace Madilu.
Odongo Joseph, Uganda.
May his soul rest in peace and even his critics realise his contributions!!
The legend starts to take on a life of its own: this just in from the Glasgow Sunday Times–
“Franco and Madilu were the godfathers of Congolese rumba and their music was responsible for most of the babies conceived in Kinshasa in the 1980s.”
The author also stole my line about his “husky nuanced baritone”!
Here’s the link:
http://www.sundayherald.com/misc/print.php?artid=1644255
Imitation is the highest form of flattery, CC..
That was not imitation, that was out and out thievery! I thought of that phrase all by myself and was quite proud of it. Now let’s see who steals it from him….. I’ll google this in about a week to see who else helped themselves to a free lunch.
www = wild wild west, n’est pas?
deeply sad to hear of the untimely death of the great Madilu System
rest in peace brother
[...] well-known West African musicians, including members of Kékélé and Bembeya Jazz, Diblo Dibala, Rigo Star and others. Wow, that first [...]