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Kékélé
(Congo-Kinshasa)
Biography
Kékélé (a species of Lianes in Lingala language) is a
collective of older Congolese musicians trying to revitalise the old Congolese rumba of OK Jazz,
Ry-Co Jazz or Les Bantous de la Capitale. In a way comparable to what
Buenavista Social Club has been instrumental for the revival of the older Cuban music, this was a
far less well-planned marketing project. Kékélé started as a lose ensemble, folowing up on a revival
that had its prelude in a couple of rumba albums of the 1990s by Mose Se Fan Fan and
Wendo Kolosy. After a period of casual jam sessions, they were ready to record a first
album in 2001, produced by Ibrahima Sylla.
The member list of Kékélé reads as a who-is-who in Congolese rumba music. Lead singers Bumba Massa (Orchestre Lovy du Zaire), Loko "Djeskain" Massengo (Trio Madjesi) are stars from the 1960s and 1970s. Jean-Papy Ramazani has been a singer in various bands like Vox Africa, Conga Succes, Orchestre Vévé and Kass-Kass. Nyboma, Wuta Mayi and guitarist Syran M'Benza are three of the four members of 1980s super group Les Quatre Etoiles. Other members include Nedule Papa Noel, a guitarist who had played in several bands before joining Franco's TPOK Jazz, and Cameroonian keyboard player, singer, and arranger Yves Ndjock.
In 2003, Papa Noel (due to his illness), Ramazani and Yves Ndjock are no longer part of the group. Replacement on guitar came from Rigo Star (Rigobert Bamundélé) who has played on dozens of albums, among others with Mbilia Bel, Sam Mangwana and earlier with Viva la Musica.
On the new 2006 album « Kinavana », Papa Noel returns after his recovery, and Manu Dibango features on saxophone on several tracks.
The music of Kékélé is a light version of Congolese rumba, classic, relaxed, with great acoustic guitar interplay and sweet vocals.
The member list of Kékélé reads as a who-is-who in Congolese rumba music. Lead singers Bumba Massa (Orchestre Lovy du Zaire), Loko "Djeskain" Massengo (Trio Madjesi) are stars from the 1960s and 1970s. Jean-Papy Ramazani has been a singer in various bands like Vox Africa, Conga Succes, Orchestre Vévé and Kass-Kass. Nyboma, Wuta Mayi and guitarist Syran M'Benza are three of the four members of 1980s super group Les Quatre Etoiles. Other members include Nedule Papa Noel, a guitarist who had played in several bands before joining Franco's TPOK Jazz, and Cameroonian keyboard player, singer, and arranger Yves Ndjock.
In 2003, Papa Noel (due to his illness), Ramazani and Yves Ndjock are no longer part of the group. Replacement on guitar came from Rigo Star (Rigobert Bamundélé) who has played on dozens of albums, among others with Mbilia Bel, Sam Mangwana and earlier with Viva la Musica.
On the new 2006 album « Kinavana », Papa Noel returns after his recovery, and Manu Dibango features on saxophone on several tracks.
The music of Kékélé is a light version of Congolese rumba, classic, relaxed, with great acoustic guitar interplay and sweet vocals.
CD album Kinavana
Created:
Style: Congolese rumba
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Kinavana | 2006 | Stern's STCD 1101 | F: Cantos |
| Congo Life | 2003 | Stern's STCD 1097 | |
| Rumba Congo | 2001 | Stern's STCD 1093 |
Sources
Page added November 2003