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Kester Emeneya (1956-2014)
& Victoria Eleison
(Congo-Kinshasa)
Biography
King Kester Emeneya has been an influential singer and bandleader of the 1980s.
Emeneya made his first album with Papa Wemba's Viva la Musica in 1978. Few years later, he formed his own band, Victoria Eleison, with
this band he recorded and performed for many years. Big hits from the 1980s were « Sans préavis »
(1983), « Surmenage » (1984), and « Willo Mondo » (1985).
King Kester is known for his search for innovation, such as using disco and other western styles into his music, for example in the 1987 hit « Nzinzi ». Later on, he was insisting to maintain the high standards in rumba music, whereas the modern Congolese music was becoming more and more shallow.
Although the band changed their name in Victoria Eleïson Dream Team Dream Band (DTDB), integrating young musicians in the band, we can speak of a relatively high continuity compared to other Congolese bands. This does, of course, not mean that there have been no personnel changes within the band. Since the 1990s, both new material and reissues of older songs on CD have been put on the market, and, although Kester Emeneya has never reached the status of stardom as Koffi Olomide did, his role in Congolese music over the last decades has been very influential. Their 2002 album « Nouvel ordre » has been well received, and through concerts, among others in Paris venues Zénith and Olympia, they managed to attract considerable acclaim.
Kester Emeneya died in a Paris hospital in the early morning of 13 February 2014, after a period of weak health which is said to be caused by the shock when he heared about the death of Tabu Ley 30 November of last year.
King Kester is known for his search for innovation, such as using disco and other western styles into his music, for example in the 1987 hit « Nzinzi ». Later on, he was insisting to maintain the high standards in rumba music, whereas the modern Congolese music was becoming more and more shallow.
Although the band changed their name in Victoria Eleïson Dream Team Dream Band (DTDB), integrating young musicians in the band, we can speak of a relatively high continuity compared to other Congolese bands. This does, of course, not mean that there have been no personnel changes within the band. Since the 1990s, both new material and reissues of older songs on CD have been put on the market, and, although Kester Emeneya has never reached the status of stardom as Koffi Olomide did, his role in Congolese music over the last decades has been very influential. Their 2002 album « Nouvel ordre » has been well received, and through concerts, among others in Paris venues Zénith and Olympia, they managed to attract considerable acclaim.
Kester Emeneya died in a Paris hospital in the early morning of 13 February 2014, after a period of weak health which is said to be caused by the shock when he heared about the death of Tabu Ley 30 November of last year.
King Kester Emeneya
• Key members of Victoria Eleison:
King Kester Emeneya lead vocals, band leader
Safro Manzangi rhythm guitar, left VE in 1991
Santana Mongoley solo guitar, left VE in 1991
Temba Pinos bass, left VE in 1991
Cartouche Ramatula solo singer
King Kester Emeneya lead vocals, band leader
Safro Manzangi rhythm guitar, left VE in 1991
Santana Mongoley solo guitar, left VE in 1991
Temba Pinos bass, left VE in 1991
Cartouche Ramatula solo singer
• Musicians having joined Victoria Eleison (from the Viva la Musica camp):
Bipoli vocals
Debaba vocals
Petit Prince vocals
Joly Bakiemen Mubiala vocals
Huit Kilos guitar
Tofolo Tofla guitar
Patcho Star (Mpasi Samba) drums
Ekoko Mbonda percussion
• joining later:
Bongo Wende guitar
Otis Koyongonda drums
Itshari percussion
Bipoli vocals
Debaba vocals
Petit Prince vocals
Joly Bakiemen Mubiala vocals
Huit Kilos guitar
Tofolo Tofla guitar
Patcho Star (Mpasi Samba) drums
Ekoko Mbonda percussion
• joining later:
Bongo Wende guitar
Otis Koyongonda drums
Itshari percussion
• Musicians (from outside Viva la Musica camp):
Makolin vocals
Mabusele Nsumbu vocals
Washifa vocals
Gerry vocals
Akwesa Kumbaro Sanda acc. guitar, left VE around 1996
Augui Lutula solo guitar
Djudjuchet drums
• joining later:
Malembe El Chanto solo singer
Thethee Monganga vocals
Fellyko Mbuji-Mayi bass
Danny Takeso (Kashito Kassiala) percussion
Maneno Molenga drums
Makolin vocals
Mabusele Nsumbu vocals
Washifa vocals
Gerry vocals
Akwesa Kumbaro Sanda acc. guitar, left VE around 1996
Augui Lutula solo guitar
Djudjuchet drums
• joining later:
Malembe El Chanto solo singer
Thethee Monganga vocals
Fellyko Mbuji-Mayi bass
Danny Takeso (Kashito Kassiala) percussion
Maneno Molenga drums
Kester Emeneya: born 23 November 1956 in Kikwit (Bandundu region), as Jean Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu, died 13 February 2014
Victoria Eleison: created 24 December 1982, by Kester Emeneya and Cartouche
Style: Congolese rumba, soukous
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Hommage 1956-2014 | 2014 | Groupe Victoria | CD-MP3 & DVD |
| Live à l'Olympia | 2008 | Dario Kindongo SWM104DVD-CD | DVD/CD Dualdisc |
| The Best of King Kester: 1982-1987 | 2008 | Glenn Music GM312030 | Also Jimmy's Production (digital release) |
| Suka Molongo | 2007 | Bassoka 9158 | Compilation with Kester Emeneya & Safro Manzangi |
| Le jour le plus long | 2007 | Kiki Production | 2 CD & DVD |
| Nouvel ordre | 2002 | Lusafrica 36289-2 | |
| Tout en Live (Olympia/Zénith) | 2002 | Meganet 23090-2 | 2 CD |
| Naya 1982 | 2002 | Ngoyarto NG079 | CD reissue of 1982 recordings |
| Rendre à César... | 2001 | AFM Productions | 2 CD |
| Papa Wemba/Emeneya-Viva la Musica 1977-1978-1980 |
2000 | Ngoyarto NG069 | & Papa Wemba & Viva la Musica |
| Longue histoire Vol.2 | 2000 | Calbass KING002CD | |
| Longue histoire Vol.1 | 2000 | Calbass KING001CD | |
| Never Again plus jamais | 1999 | Calbass 91272-2/ B.H. Electronic | |
| Manhattan/Sissi Ngwema | 1998 | Ngoyarto EPP23 | With Bozi Boziana |
| Mboka Mboka | 1998 | B.H. Electronic 08895-2 | 2 CD |
| Ndako Ya Ndele | 1997 | Sonodisc CDS7007 | CD reissue with Viva la Musica |
| Succès fou | 1997 | Melodie 08814-2 | |
| Deux temps | 1996 | Rog's CD 9601 | Kwasa Kwasa, with one extra track |
| Kester Emeneya & Dindo Yogo: Willo Mondo & La Congolaise |
1994 | Flash FDB 300239 | Re-issue Willo Mondo & Dindo Yogo's album Prix Nobel de la Paix 85. Also CD 70033-2 |
| Réponse Polo Kina | 1993 | AMG 27 | Also CD 70010-2 |
| Live in Japan | 199? | PGS-21 (Japan) | Also CD 70009-2 |
| Pas de contact/ Stefi Tchoko | 1995 | Sonodisc CDS 8813 | |
| Live | 199? | MBC 001 | Live studio album, songs from Everybody in different version |
| Les meilleurs succès vol.3 | 1993 | Flash FDB 300102 | |
| Les meilleurs succès vol.2 | 1993 | Flash FDB 300093 | LPs Kimpiatu & Surmenage |
| Les meilleurs succès vol.1 | 1993 | Flash FDB 300092 | |
| Everybody | 1992 | Sonodisc CDS 6809 | Solo album Emeneya |
| Emeneya (Nzinzi) | 1992 | Kaluila KL 04 | CD reissue, includes also Mokosa (EVVI 120) |
| La Elégance | 1991 | Production Grand Samurai PGS-2 | |
| Djo Kester Emeneya | 1991 | Flash Diffusion Business FDB 100063 | Also on P.A.V. 999 (2008) |
| Mokosa | 1990 | Editions Vévé EVVI 120 | LP |
| Manhattan | 1987 | Editions Vévé EVVI 70 | LP |
| Emeneya (Nzinzi) | 1987 | Kaluila KL 04 | LP, solo album Emeneya |
| Nzinzi - Version originale | 1987 | Black Music 46008-1 | LP |
| dans Kwasa Kwasa | 1987 | Kaluila KL 02 | LP |
| Presser Te | 1986 | Rythmes et Musiques REM 610 | LP |
| Kimpiatu | 1986 | Editions Vévé EVVI 46 | LP, also REM 600 |
| Willo Mondo | 1985 | Feel sound FS001 | Later reissued on Flash FDB 300239 |
| Surmenage / Explosion | 1984 | Editions Vévé EVVI 41 | LP, also REM 500 |
| Sango Mabala Commission | 1984 | Editions Vévé EVVI 39 | LP, also REM 370 |
| Verckys Présente | 1984 | Editions Vévé EVVI 20 | LP, also REM 270 |
| Albums Cartouche & Victoria Eleison: | |||
| Orphée Sissi | 1999 | AMG 28 | Le Prophète Cartouche Ramatoula & Victoria Eleison |
| Everybody Talk'bout | 19?? | PGS-26 | Le Prophète Cartouche & Victoria Eleison All Stars |
| Double jeu | 1986 | Disques Esperance ESP 8423 | LP, Cartouche & Victoria Eleison |
| Albums Fale-Fale Japanes & Victoria Eleison: | |||
| Mystique | 1997 | Déclic / Blue Silver 50627-2 | |
| Vol. 2 Mira Dora | 1996 | SD 009 395 | |
| Marceline-Ngufulu | 1994 | AMG Productions JF.SM 91860 | |
| Albums Malembe Chant & Victoria Eleison: | |||
| Opposition Radicale Ngomane | 199? | JIP 160 | |
| Chaque chose en son temps | 19?? | 0204 | Cassette only |
| Albums Safro Manzangi: | |||
| Wiseman | 2007 | VLB Broadcasting & El'Man Music | CD reissue & bonus DVD |
| Wiseman | 1997 | El'Man 001 CD | Reissued as Ata Mpiaka (CBC CD 45) |
| Ambenzo | 1986 | Editions Vévé EVVI 52 | |
| Albums Jipe Swiss & Victoria Eleison: | |||
| Nana Afi Leo | 19?? | Tropical Club TCP 001 | |
Sources
"London, Paris, Kin, Brazza - Everybody Talk'about! King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison", by Martin Sinnock, in The Beat, published on http://www.africasounds.com/beat_vol_4.htm [now obsolete link]
Thanks to members of the now defunct www.africaonline.com music forum for their help in compiling this discography
"London, Paris, Kin, Brazza - Everybody Talk'about! King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison", by Martin Sinnock, in The Beat, published on http://www.africasounds.com/beat_vol_4.htm [now obsolete link]
Thanks to members of the now defunct www.africaonline.com music forum for their help in compiling this discography
Page added August 2003