Early Congo Music 1946-1962: First Rumba, to the Real Rumba

Early Congo Music 1946-1962 has been compiled and annotated by Japanese collector Yoshiki Fukasawa. His unusual sub-title comes from the summation that the early troubadour and brass band recordings were erroneously labelled as rumba as a flag of convenience. Globally popular novelty Latin songs like ‘Manicero’ (The Peanut Vendor) were frequently labelled as rumba – even when they might have been bolero, chachachá, son or any number of other rhythms. Disc labelling (or mis-labelling) in the Congo frequently followed suit. Tracks on the first CD are therefore ‘falsely labelled’ rumba, whereas the second CD of recordings post-1951 is the ‘real rumba.’

There are rare tracks from Wendo Kolosoy, Joseph Kabaselle, Tino Baroza, Bowane, Rochereau, Franco and Docteur Nico. Also we get to hear fascinating examples from lesser-known artists like Orchestre Odeon-Kinois, who recorded for Olympia Records in 1946. These represent some of the earliest recordings from the Congo – a couple of military band inspired pieces with tuba, trombone, sax and trumpet and a gloriously swinging syncopation. Other tracks show the development of Congolese music with influences from West African palm wine as well as the ubiquitous Latin styles, religious music, and local folk traditions. Additionally there are songs that reflect social history like Camille Mokoko's ‘Klim Abikisi Mwana’ – an advertisement for Klim powdered milk. The release is attractively presented in a box with a booklet annotated in Japanese with an English translation, English outline of the song lyrics, plus period photographs and record label images. Available from farsidemusic.com.