Verckys et le Vévé - Mfum'bwa Bankoko Baboyi 1969-71

01. mfumbwa 1
02. mfumbwa 2
03. bolingo ya bomwana
04. marie sango
05. pasi ya bolingo
06. balabaka ye mbongo mingi
07. marcello tozongana
08. pesa ngai bolingo
09. bea
10. est-ce que nakobala
11. nakokoka ata botongi
12. ah! ngai matinda
13. bankoko baboyi
14. nakomitunaka

'Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta is one of the most influential figures in the history of Congolese [Zaïrean] musique. As a saxophonist, composer and bandleader he was able to rival both Franco and Rochereau. He developed his own honking, gutbucket style of sax playing which characterised some of the most exciting tunes of the 1960s & 70s.

Verckys was a great showman who liked to play up to the crowd. He really let fly during the sebenes occupying a musical space which had previously been the preserve of solo guitarists only, but his arrangements also featured very fluid & bright, psychedelic guitar playing as well. After generating some raucous excitement as a member of OK Jazz he founded Orchestre Vévé in 1969. He has been credited with creating the cavacha beat that led on to soukous. In effect, Verckys’ unique studio sound, his unerring ear for talent and unquenchable enthusiasm turned him into the godfather of modern Congolese musique.

another instance of imaginative cover art threatening to outshine the musique. psych! still, i am most elated this compilation existed at one point so we might now listen to the thang & be stoked on summer. i keep thinking i'm going to switch it up & post musique from other regions, but for some reason nothing sounds as good in the summer as sweet rumba congolaise. shout out to 博林戈