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SAM MANGWANA's MUSICAL JOURNEY

April 26, 2024 - 01:45 AM
SAM MANGWANA's MUSICAL JOURNEY

The angelic voice of the Legendary Sam. It’s just so smooth.
It brings to mind the golden age of Congolese rhumba, though it’s tinged with nostalgia. His sweet voice keeps sounding new to the ears despite the years it reigned the musical world. Such a rich career spanning six decades just can’t be summed up in a 90-minutes. We begin by reflecting on his musical journey at the end of the 60s. Mangwana made his professional debut in 1963 with the Congo-Kinshasa rumba band, African Fiesta, owned and led by Tabu Ley Rochereau. Mangwana moved across the Congo River to Brazzaville where he formed a short-lived group called Los Batchichas. He also worked with the more established Negro Band and Orchestre Tembo. He then crossed back to Kinshasa where he joined Tabu Ley, whose band was now known as African Fiesta National.
 
In 1967, Mangwana again left to form Festival des Maquisards. The band included notable recording artists; vocalists Dalienst and Madilu System, guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku and lead guitarist Michelino. Two years later, Sam Mangwana was on the move again. He recorded duos with a guitarist called Jean-Paul "Guvano" Vangu, until 1972.
 
In 1972 he joined TPOK Jazz, led by Franco. Mangwana often played lead singer on compositions by OK Jazz guitarist Simaro Lutumba. His popularity increased during this time. The collaboration with Simaro yielded three hits: " Ebale ya Zaire", "Cedou" and "Mabele". He left OK Jazz and briefly rejoined Tabu Ley's band, now called Afrisa. He then left again, this time moving to Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in West Africa. In 1978 he formed, along with others, the band African All Stars.
 
When the All-Stars broke up in 1979, he became a solo artist. He recorded and toured with varying combinations of musicians. Maria Tebbo (1980) with remnants of the All Stars, Coopération (1982) with Franco, Canta Moçambique (1983) with Mandjeku, and albums with saxophonist Empompo Loway under the names Tiers Monde Coopération and Tiers Monde Révolution were highlights of his career in the 1980s.
 
Due to his frequent goings and comings, he won the nickname "pigeon voyageur" (traveling pigeon). In the 2000s, Mangwana spent most of his time in Angola, emerging periodically to perform concerts in Europe
 
The last time he graced us with his vocals was when he blessed us with a magnificent collaboration with the late Manu Dibango, from his latest album.
 
His Tracklist includes songs like:
 
Bilinga Linga – Sam Mangwana et l’Orchestre Festival des Maquisards
Likambo ya Mokanda – Tabu Ley Rochereau et l’Orchestre Afrisa
Connaissance Koyebana – Tabu Ley Rochereau et l’African Fiesta
Matata Ya Muasi Na Mobali Ekoki Kosila Te – Franco et l’Orchestre Tout Puissant OK Jazz
Loboko Na Litama – Franco et l’Orchestre Tout Puissant OK Jazz
Eyebana – Sam Mangwana et l’African All Stars
Yenga Yenga – Sam Mangwana et l’African All Stars
Cooperation – Franco et Sam Mangwana avec le T.P. OK Jazz
Affaire Disco – Sam Mangwana
Georgette Eckins – Sam Mangwana
Maria Tebbo – Sam Mangwana
Souzana Koulibali – Sam Mangwana
Waka Waka – Sam Mangwana
Toujours OK – Sam Mangwana et Franco avec le T.P. OK Jazz
Bana Ba Cameroun – Sam Mangwana
Los Amigos – Sam Mangwana
Papa Bonbon – Sam Mangwana
Aladji – Sam Mangwana
Droit d’Aimer – Papy Ipepy avec Sam Mangwana et Kourou Yaka
Balobi – Sam Mangwana
Galo Negro – Sam Mangwana
Juventud Actual – Sam Mangwana et Manu Dibango
 
Long life to this rhumba Icon!


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See also

A NIGHT WITH JAMNAZI IN SOY

A NIGHT WITH JAMNAZI IN SOY
BIOGRAPHY OF THE "FATHER OF CONGOLESE MUSIC"

BIOGRAPHY OF THE "FATHER OF CONGOLESE MUSIC"

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