THE HIDDEN VOCAL GEM

THE HIDDEN VOCAL GEM

Wuta Mayi(from the water) was with TP OK JAZZ in the 1970s before leaving to join Syran Mbenza, Nyboma Mwandido, and Bopol Mansiamina to form the Four stars/4 etoiles in 1982.

Sometimes I feel they had a side band known as KASS KASS fronted by the late Jean Pappy Ramazani and the late Passi Jo, anyway the late Bopol Mansiamina used to play solo, rhythm, and bass. The guy was gifted, just like the late Nene Tchakou who used to play solo and rhythm guitar. 

I learned yesterday that after independence in 1960/61 somehow the Musicians from Congo Brazzaville opted to go back home, Franco had no vocalists since he used to play the solo guitar in the background, that's when he decided to try vocals and realized he could sing, the rest is history.

In Kenya we had/have Daud Kabaka, John Nzenze, Musa Juma of Limpompo International [anyway the band had Congolese Musicians like Salapata], Sukuma bin Ongaro of the famous "this world", Man Kalle, David Amunga Samwana Eunia/Yuniah Amunga who used to entertain us with pure Rumba music. The late Dr Harry Kabetsha, not from Shimalabandu but the DRC, where they eat, walk, and sleep Rumba music, not forgetting Anthony Okonji are just but a short list of others who can sing and play the guitar just like Wuta Mayi.

Orch Kass Kass was a studio recording ensemble, what Franco used to refer to as "Nzonzing", are you aware the solo guitarist of Tchico Tchikaya Denis La Cloche Lobassou played rhythm guitar in some albums of Och Kass Kass?
Stay tuned for extensive details.

By James Angana

Jabulani Radio Livestream

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