Ida is a masterpiece from Franco and his OK Jazz. The song features the magical voice of Malage De Lugendo on backup vocals as Franco does the singing, actually lamenting about a lady, Ida. At some point, Franco loses hope and hands over the baton of lamentations to the saxophonist Empopo Loway by declaring, 'Loway, lelela ngai' (cry it out for me).
At this point, Loway unleashes an emotional saxophone that captures the theme of the song. It is such uniqueness that defined Empopo Deyese Loway's sax in his illustrious career that straddled several bands. Italian-based rumba aficionado, Eugene Magina described Loway's saxophone as sexy, stating that of all renowned saxophonists of the rumba world, it was easy to tell Loway's owing to its unique style. Regardless, Loway was an all-round musician whose prowess cannot be accurately gauged with his expertise on the saxophone as the sole yardstick. He was equally an astute composer. While in OKJ, Clemence and Bois Noirs are remarkable memories of some of his compositions.
He cut his teeth at Orchestra Jamel of Fauvette Kabangu, which unsurprisingly is the kindergarten that nurtured a dozen would-be superstars of Congolese music. Loway joined this band in the early 1960s, and it is here that he established a name for himself as a skilled hornsman.
It is in this band that he first played alongside Franco's younger brother, Bavon Siongo, aka Marie Marie, who later became a star with Orchestra Negro Success, with his dazzling mastery of the guitar fretboard. Loko Masengo, who later formed the singing sensation of the Madjesi trio, was also part and parcel of this ensemble.
In 1963, Loway transitioned to Orchestra Cubana, and by the mid-1960s he was blowing the sax for Negro Success. It is here that he gained international repute with his styles in the band which excelled in the pachanga subgenre. In 1970, his blowing skills had become every band's desire.
He landed at Afrisa International, which had rebranded after the successful Olympia concert. Loway didn't stay along with the band as he quit to join Ndombe Opetum, Dino Vangu, Vata Mombasa, and others in creating Orchestra Afrizam. Keen observers remember that it was this band that changed its identity to Makina Loka after a protracted tussle with Tabuley over the name, as the latter claimed the name Afrizam was confusing fans with his Afrisa, as they are near homophones.
From Afrizam, his next stop was at Un-Deux-Trois, which was Grand Maitre Franco's Ok Jazz headquarters. Here, more glory awaited him. Franco had quite a long list of saxophonists who have played with his band, among them Isaac Musekiwa, Verckys Kiamuangana, Dele Pedro, Christophe Djali, Kasongo Wa Kasongo, Lunama Mbemba, Kunsita Ruben, Matalanza, and many others, but not all left indelible footprints in the band as Loway and Verckys did.
This sax wizard graced the recordings of several successful songs with the band, i.e., Nabali misere, Celio, voyage na Bandundu, and these endeared him so much to the band's fanbase. It is also worth noting that in the period between his switching bands, he also got involved in numerous nzing-nzongs, that yielded several masterpieces.
With an etymological root in an orchestra, Bella Bella with the same title, 'nzing-nzong' in rumba parlance means a makeshift band created for purposes of a particular recording or performance, a team that hitherto didn't exist, and its lifespan is as long as that particular recording or performance lasts. It is in these 'moonlighting sessions' that he arranged songs for Mpongo Love. It was around 1977 that 'Ndaya,' one of the biggest hits from DRC, was recorded. The song, composed by Mayaula Mayoni, a part-time musician who had excelled in academia and football, is one of the most performed songs by military and other brass bands.
The song features the saxophone as a lead instrument, and this was done by Empopo Loway. The other 'nzing-nzong' he got involved in was the one of another female singer, Vonga Aye. He also incorporated Dr. Nico in several projects in the days the former wasn't affiliated with any band. There is video footage that has been prominent online that has, on numerous occasions, been marked as an Africa Fiesta Sukisa band, but that was not the case. Loway was never an African Fiesta musician.
In around 1983, Loway, Mangwana, and Opetum joined hands to create Tiers Monde. The band did quite well with some great releases, but Loway's attempt at the microphone to sing was a major flop. He ought not to have made that try. Loway who died on 21st January 1990, was described by Ken Braun, the head of Sterns Music in the United States as the best Congolese saxophonist, an opinion which may be debatable, but nonetheless acknowledges that he merits a space in the high table of the best Congolese hornsmen.
By Jerome Ogola
Jabulani Radio Livestream
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