Johnny Bokelo Isenge (Disques Espérance ESP 8420)

Coming back to Congo and Paris Johnny Bokelo is a good choice! Mid 1980s was the time when Congolese music used influences from Zouk and Cameroun to create a harder rhythm. Here Bokelo restists to produce two sides with only one rhythm but offers us four good and different tracks.

Who's in his orchstra, the "Mbonda Africa Music"? I don't know!

Anyway, enjoy this danceable music over the weekend!

African Hits Vol. V

Today we come with Vol. 5 of the African Hits tape series issued on the Rwandan market in the mid 1980s. This one has more music from Cameroun and some Zouk. So please enjoy!

Winston Groovy - Nightshift (Jive 12")

Here is something to relax and remember great names on a pop reggae tune from 1985 UK. Some more African music will follow soon.

Enjoy!

Third World: Now That We've Found Love

1985 was a year when the decline of Island Records already had started. One sign was that they started to compile and reissue older material: one series was called "Reggae Greats". The release of a volume for Third World was accompanied by two 12 inch singles: and all they told us was to dance - day and night.

Some reggae/dance memories here before I come back to Africa soon.
Enjoy the day!
Enjoy the night!

Hugh Masekela - Waiting For The Rain (Jive) 1985

This is Hugh Masekela's 2nd LP recorded in Botswana - close to his land South Africa but respecting the boycott of the apartheid regime. He's been waiting for the rain and for freedom in South Africa. The LP starts off with Fela Kuti's "Lady" and closes with "Zulu Wedding".

Ok. Enjoy!

Orchestre Impala de Kigali -Vol. 6

This is Vol. 6 from Orchestre Impala; we already had Vols 1, 3 and a compilation tape. Again 60 minutes, as in Rwanda they used mostly C60 tapes for duplication.

There are nine tracks on the tape, 8 are indicated on the cover. Anyway: Enjoy this one too!

I tried to contact some people who have written on Orchestre Impala in Kinyarwanda (here and here) but haven't got any reaction until now.



My little friend on Ruzizi river near Lake Tanganiyka

Orchestre Zaiko Langa Langa - Massela (Ed. Antabel)

Just a small post with my third ca. 1985 - at the time -much employed record.

Enjoy!

Orchestre Victoria Eleison - Willo Mambo Bis (Veve VV 499)

My second Eleison-Single, which is in the same quality like the first one (technically bad and musically excellent), was re-issues some years ago on a compilation CD which actually seems not to be available.

I hope you can enjoy!

Orchestre Victoria Eleison - Soirée Dansante (Veve VV 505)

Another week - another single. I love Orchestre Victoria Eleison. This single was in very bad shape and the needle of my technics turntable wanted to fly over the record during the first 30 seconds of each side.
It's a find from 1986/87 Rwanda (there were only three records of African origin I was able to find in the whole country over at least three years!)

By the way it's the last cat.-no. I was able to identify for the Veve label.
Enjoy!

Annie Whitehead - Mix Up

Trombone in UK 1980s pop music meant, after Rico left the UK for several years, Annie Whitehead. She played with the latest 2Tone projects (Starvation, Wind of Change), she played with Robert Wyatt, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra, with Working Week and Jazz Jamaica All Stars - among others.

This one is her first solo album from 1985. Hope you enjoy! There was a CD re-issue in 2001 but I think it isn't available any more.

Fellows - Brigitte 85

Hi, friends, I wish you a happy, peaceful new year 2011! For your party I've choosen a cassette from 1985 Rwanda, from a time, when it was possible to have a good time even in Rwanda.

For me this tape was the most danceable, the most Kinshasa oriented output in Rwanda at all. Even the name of the band indicated that they did not want to be a local band. "Brigitte" and "Bonne année" are real smash hits.

Enjoy!

At the years end we should make a resumé:
I've posted 25 entries (enough?).
What you liked most was:
::Visits::
5. OK Jazz - Loboko
4. Orch. Lipua Lipua - Editions Vévé
3. Omar Pene - Navetanes
2. Zao - Ancien Combattant
1. Orchestre Impala - Vol. 1
::DLs::
5. Sam Mangwana - Affaire Disco
4. Orchestre Impala - Vol. 1
3. Bantous Jazz - Les Merveilles du Passé
2. Zao - Ancien Combattant
1. Orchestre Lipua Lipua



Some fireworks near Goma. Nyamulagira in August 1986.