Democratic Republic of Congo: Kibali-Ituri – Bira and Hema Music

When it comes to documenting traditional music from around the world, the Ocora Radio France series stands out as one of the most extensive and well-researched labels. This recording is from the north-east corner of what was Zaire in Central Africa, a region known as Ituri that borders Uganda and Lake Albert. Two ethnic groups are featured – the Bira and the Hema. The Bira recordings include four extended songs by Lababo Kechabo. He sings and plays a modern style of likembé (thumb piano) music that serves as entertainment in local bars or parties where there is no electricity available. His style is riveting: dynamic, beautifully melodic, and with great attack as he uses percussive effects to emulate sounds that might be heard from an entire group, including guitar solo. His music relates directly to that of popular itinerant recording artists such as Wendo Kolosoy and fellow likembé player Antoine Moundanda. Equally impressive are two tracks in a more traditional playing style with solo and bass instruments; and a track featuring nzenze, a two-stringed gourd zither. The music from the Hema ethnic group includes two cow-herder songs played on ndere oblique flute and single-string fiddle, and a couple of excellent wedding songs. A fascinating collection.