The best saxophones in central Africa, that’s how they call Jean Serge Essous and Nino Malapet on this fine LP. They also claim to play the best African interpretation of ‘the Peanut Vender”, ‘el Manicero’, quite an assumption. I don’t … Continue reading
Always a pleasure to listen to the legendary ‘Les Bantous de la Capitale’. We find a number of great musicians on this album, Pamelo Mounk’a, Kosmos Moutouari, Nino Malapet, jean Serge Essous, Celestin N’Kouka, Samba Mascot & Passy Mermans among … Continue reading
Een beetje twist, Congolese rumba, guapacha en cha cha, de jongens van Les Bantous waren er allemaal in thuis. Met de grote Jean Essous, Nino malapet en Papa Noël. Heerlijk stukje 1975 gerealiseerd door Gilles Sala, genieten dus.. Some twist, … Continue reading
Herrinner je je die andere elpee van Samba Mascott, wat een juweeltje was dat. Vond jij dat ook ? Luister dan zeker ook naar deze. Helaas heeft hij wel wat achtergrond geluiden maar dit is een zeldzaam plaatje dat je … Continue reading
Goodmorning groovers, it’s been some time since we’ve seen them here. Les Bantous de la Capitale had quite some albums passing by over the years. The one we have today is a Congolese pressing on Socodi ( societé Congolaise du … Continue reading
Hello Groovers around the Globe, at the 6th of May we celebrate our 5th anniversary already. Time sure flies. Unfortunately we are not yet in the opportunity to launch the new and independent GG, other work ( the one that … Continue reading
Despite all tragic happenings in the past weeks I am also happy that we can still go on doing what we did. I wonder if our buddies Owl and Nauma are okay. Didn’t hear a word of them anymore. Leave … Continue reading
Last week, when I posted Essous and Nino and read they feel their version of El Manicero is the best African one, I got this idea. I made a collector with 15 versions of the song. I am sure you … Continue reading
Hearing and seeing this album by Les Bantous de la Capitale, makes me think of the ‘african’ label. The way the label is built up, orange background, the numbering, 360.118, and how it is positioned. Maybe you can tell me … Continue reading
I quote ‘World Music, The Rough Guide’ ; “The Congolese music scene really came alive in 1953 with the inauguration of African Jazz, the first full-time recording and performing orchestra, led by Joseph ‘Le Grand Kalle’ Kabassele.” The acknowledged ‘father … Continue reading
Now this is what I would call Rumba Congolesa. In african’s great series Les Merveilles du Passé, this beautyful collector with songs from 1963. It contains three songs from the hand of Essou, who just recently passed away, RIP. Other … Continue reading
Somewhere during the 60’s, an early member of OK Jazz, Jean Serge Essous and Nino Malapet, also saxplayer, started up a bigband Congolese style. Les Bantous de la Capitale, with Papa Noel, Brazzos among others who joined Franco’s Band in … Continue reading
Les Bantous de la Capitale is one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in the musical history of the Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). Formed in 1959, the band played a major role in the introduction and … Continue reading
One of the most famous Congolese rumba bands in the early sixties was Les Bantous de la Capitale. Founded by former musicians of Orchestre T.P.O.K. Jazz and Orchestre Rock a Mambo. Members were Alphonse Ntaloulou, Celestin N’Kouka, De La Lune, … Continue reading