Mosese

The man behind BBE's latest Tabansi Records re-release, recorded in Nigeria in 1979, hails from the Congo basin: Lumingu Puati Zorro, a protégé of the renowned Dr Nico, composed and recorded just this one solo album during the rumba-soukous heyday of the 70s and 80s.

Mosese has enjoyed its greatest success in the champeta sound system scene of Colombia. A culture that has only recently spilled into the mainstream, champeta's events centre around immense picós (sound systems) and exuberant dance celebrations, and when it comes to song selection, champeta reveres the exclusive. Picoteros (selectors) set themselves apart by gathering and closely guarding a unique collection of vinyl as rare as this one, even concealing song titles under generic Spanish pseudonyms. As such, the LP has remained largely anonymous to its most avid audience.

Listening to this album it is no surprise that the four songs have become classics in the champeta repertoire; the extended tracks with their heavy rhythms and captivating melodies are perfectly suited to the picó concert dance floor. Imagine these pieces played at full volume through massive loudspeakers, and it is easily music you could get lost in. The unshrouding of this record will certainly cause a stir across the champeta scene, but for new audiences as well, this album has plenty to offer.