Kuetumbari

Guitarist Jeannot Bel is one of a handful of fine Congolese musicians based in the UK who are managing to eke out a living by performing live African music. As a member of Kanda Bongo Man’s group, he has access to some good players who help on this lively and well-recorded session.

The style is predominantly a retro kind of soukous, as recorded on dozens of albums released in Paris in the 80s and 90s. Lovers of more contemporary Congolese music or old-school rumba will likely find it to be predictable but there are a couple of bright moments. ‘Mokili’, sung by former Choc Star Nzaya Nzayadio, is more satisfying. It has a variation and progression through the song and some fine guitar from Mboka Liya, a guitarist who has performed with many of the top Congolese artists and has rightfully been acknowledged as one of the finest of the modern era. Liya plays on three tracks and his contribution makes the disc worth a listen. Another guest is vocalist Malage de Lugendo – one of the great surviving OK Jazz singers. Unfortunately even his voice can’t rescue the tiresome keyboards¬laden song that he has been given. Despite its limitations, Kuetumbari is a pleasant party record that should appeal to any lover of the commercial soukous style as performed by the likes of Kanda Bongo Man, Awilo Longomba or Coeurs Brises.