African Pearls: Congo 70: Rumba Rock

2008 release. Syllart Productions releases another Congo edition of their African Pearls series of compilations - a stunning 2CD collection of '70s Congolese rumba rock. In the late 1940s, the influences of jazz, European and Cuban music met on opposite banks of the Congo River to form a new style of music - rumba. In Leopoldville (later to become Kinshasa) and Brazzaville, rumba was to rule until the late 1950s. In terms of pure dance, no one could beat the Congolese orchestras and their audiences. Backed by a budding record industry, the first of its kind to emerge on the continent outside of South Africa, and loyal audiences, a whole new music scene was created. The birth of modern Congolese music was aided by several factors, including the introduction of electricity, better recording facilities, and the importation of records. These influences coalesced with independence in 1960 to trigger a whole new era, with people dancing to the tune of "Independence Cha Cha Cha," African Jazz's ode to the new era. Heard in the streets, bars and clubs of Leopoldville and Brazzaville, this new style of music embodied a genuine Congolese cultural identity, be it of Brazzaville Congo or the ex-Belgian Congo. In the 1970s, Congolese musicians, bandleaders and singers began to break free from the influence of Cuban music. The Congolese sound became pure rumba rock, and its powerful rhythm and ringing guitars influenced many other orchestras on the African continent. This was an era of epic competition between the pioneering orchestras of African Jazz, OK Jazz, Rochereau, Verckys and Dr. Nico. It led to a surge of creativity, aided by the frequent interactions between the musicians of the different groups. Produced by Ibrahima Sylla. Includes a 24-page booklet with full-color photos and liner notes in English and French by Florent Mazzoleni.