Congolese singer Bonghat Tshekebu, popularly known as Saak Saakul or Sinatra, formerly of Orchestre Sosoliso, died three years ago today.
The musician passed away on the morning of Sunday, March 19, in a hospital in Paris, where he had been admitted. The then 80-year-old had been ailing for some time.

Saak Saakul was a singer and composer with Orchestre Veve, led by the late Verckys Kiamuangana, a band he joined in 1969. He was the first of the three vocalists of the band, known collectively as Trio Madjesi—comprising Mario Matadidi, aka Mabele, originally from Angola, and Loko Masengo, aka Djeskain, originally from the Republic of Congo—to join the group.

Alongside Bebe, the duo made up the vocal lineup for the song Bankoko Baboyi, one of the earliest hits by the band. Previously, the band had enjoyed the services of Prince Youlou Mabiala in songs like Sasa Akeyi Conge, featured on an album credited to "Verckys and Son Ensemble" as the backup band, rather than Orchestre Veve. The trio left Orchestre Veve in 1972 to form their own band, Orchestre Sosoliso, which became wildly popular for their showmanship—a concept that was relatively new to Congolese music at the time.

Their choreographed and often dramatized concerts became euphoric events in Kinshasa and beyond during the 1970s, especially after American rock musician James Brown performed at the concert preceding the Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali.
The three musicians were not only singers but also talented composers and dancers. They carved a niche for themselves as a phenomenal band of the era, with little competition, even from groups like Orchestre Les Stukas and Afrisa, who attempted to emulate their style. Their song Photo Ya Madjesi solidified their place in the music scene. By the mid-1970s, however, the band began to fade, amid rumors that more established musicians had a hand in its slow decline.

Loko Masengo returned to his hometown of Brazzaville, Mario Matadidi went back to Angola, and Saak Saakul traveled to Paris for further musical engagements. However, he was not active for long due to health complications. Upon the trio's departure, Verckys introduced a new lineup that included Ramazani Nkalu Luaka, Pascal Mangwana, Fukiau Pepito, and Tusevo Nejos, among others.

It is also worth noting that a dozen OK Jazz musicians played for Veve at some point. These included guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku; singers Wuta Mayi, Kwamy Munsi, Fukiau Pepito, and Ikomo Ingange; guitarist Petit Pierre; Youlou Mabiala; trombonist Makamba; and saxophonist Ruben Kunsita, among others. This exemplifies the fluidity of the music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. However, Saak Saakul never played with either Franco’s OK Jazz or Afrisa. The flamboyant trio left a lasting impression on Congolese music, setting the pace for today's bands, where performances often matter more than recordings.

By Jerome Ogola

Jabulani Radio

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