Watch Manu Dibango live on French TV

Here's saxophonist Manu Dibango performing live on Puslations (1968-71). Sadly Manu died from coronavirus on March 24, 2020. 

Grand Kallé's early 60s Congolese rumba gems compiled

Belgium's Planet Ilunga label has assembled a sweet 2LP collection of Grand Kallé's recordings for the Surboum African Jazz label. 

Here's the scoop from Planet Ilunga...

Planet Ilunga continues its mission to uncover and highlight the overlooked yet epic achievements in the world of Congolese rumba. This time to tell the most spectacular story of all. This is the story of the creation of Surboum African Jazz, the first Congolese music label founded by a Congolese. 

Surboum African Jazz was owned and managed by the best singer of all time, Joseph Kabasele, alias Grand Kallé. The label's catalog during the period 1960–63 is largely dominated by Grand Kallé’s band African Jazz in its various formations. The band, which could rely in 1961 and 1962 on a real dream team of musicians (Docteur Nico, Dechaud, Rochereau, Manu Dibango, Roger Izeidi and Mujos among others), released in this period at least 212 songs. The second largest source of music for the label is Franco’s band O.K. Jazz with at least 136 released songs. Next, with at least 34 released songs comes Manu Dibango with his different formations. These were the first ever published songs of the late Manu Dibango. For this compilation we chose an original selection of songs recorded by African Jazz in 1961 and 1962. We also included a few songs of Dibango’s bands in the final selection, in order to showcase the diversity and universal philosophy of Grand Kallé’s label. 

This adventurous music which was recorded in Brussels (Belgium) in the months and years after Congo’s independence is nothing less than post-colonial glory wrapped around popular music. It’s a collection of proud name-dropping songs, political and patriotic lyrics, euphoric declarations of love and explorations towards new and universal impulses and styles. The releases on Surboum African Jazz are for many Congolese the icing on the cake in the iconic history of Congolese rumba. They are a time capsule of the longing of Congolese society to be absorbed in the momentum of the nations. At the same time they are a testimonial of the musical excellence of the African Jazz musicians. 

The vinyl edition of this first ever double LP anthology of Surboum African Jazz comes with a large, thoroughly researched and well-illustrated 32-page booklet telling the whole story of this label. Included in the book, among other content, is a text by Alan Brain (director of The Rumba Kings) with never before published information and photos about the epic Table Ronde tour of African Jazz in Belgium, France and The Netherlands in the winter and spring of 1960. This text is the fruit of a research Alan initiated, and then further developed in collaboration with the Congolese author and scholar Manda Tchebwa. Furthermore, you can find in the book a detailed documentation of the recording tours in Brussels in 1961 and 1962, along with a discography of the Surboum African Jazz label and many testimonials of the Congolese community about the first Congolese music label founded by a Congolese. 

Get a copy of Joseph Kabasele And The Creation Of Surboum African Jazz via Bandcamp right here. Listen to the swingin' African Jazz track "Longonia Yaya" following the promotional clip below. 

R.I.P. Manu Dibango, 1933-2020

Sadly, it was announced today Afro funk innovator Manu Dibango had passed away from complications due to COVID-19. He'll be greatly missed.

From Manu Dibango's Facebook page...
Dear family, dear friends, dear fans,
A voice raises from far away…
It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on 24th of March 2020, at 86 years old, further to COVID-19.
His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible. If you wish to express your condolences, please write to the following email:
manu@manudibango.net
A Manu, Ad Lib…

Chers parents, chers amis, chers fans,
Une voix s’élève au lointain…
C'est avec une profonde tristesse que nous vous annonçons la disparition de Manu Dibango, notre Papy Groove, survenue le 24 mars 2020 à l'âge de 86 ans, des suites du COVID-19.
Les obsèques auront lieu dans la stricte intimité familiale, et un hommage lui sera rendu ultérieurement dès que possible. Si vous le souhaitez, vous pouvez adresser vos condoléances à:
manu@manudibango.net
A Manu, Ad Lib…

Happy Birthday Manu Dibango!

Raising a glass to Manu with a couple of his stellar recordings including the twist gem Hallelouia circa 1962.