 Matumona Defao Lulendo
"Le General Defao" - 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
The Congo Kinshasa Update
# 2:
From Choc Stars to Big Stars
(Choc Stars & Le General Defao)
Written by Martin Sinnock
Concert photos copyright Martin
Sinnock
The
Beat : Article # 2
Volume 15 # 4 – August 1996
Editor's Introduction:
AfricaSounds is pleased to present the
second instalment of Martin Sinnock's celebrated column on Congolese
music, entitled "The Congo Kinshasa Update" which is featured in the
bi-monthly world music publication "The Beat". This second Congo
Kinshasa Update features one of my all-time favorite singers...
Matumona Defao Lulendo
who is more commonly known as
"General Defao". I first heard Defao while living in
Cameroon during the mid-1990s, when his hit "Famille Kikuta - 2eme
Mi-Temps" was all the rage in Cameroon (and I presume throughout Central
Africa). His spot-on, operatic voice always seems to be in key,
even in extended live concert performances. The song writing is
catchy and sophisticated; the arrangements well orchestrated with fine
musicianship. He does not restrain his chorus (unlike some other
major Congolese artists) and lets each singer lead and sing to his
heart's content. The guitar solos build and end in hypnotic,
tantalizing sebenes. Most importantly, Defao's songs begin with a
beautiful melody which builds and builds as musicians and singers add
elements of tension to the mix, until the songs erupt in an explosive
sebene. Listening to Defao's music, I found myself hooked to
Congolese rumba.
When I returned to the US I quickly
bought up as many Defao LPs and CD releases as I could find. By
the late 1990s, I was thrilled to learn that Defao was coming to America
for an extended tour. It was during his first tour to the US that
I met Defao on multiple occasions and befriended many members of his
group, The Big Stars. I also witnessed the gradual disintegration
of The Big Stars and watched as one of my favorite orchestras fell apart
due to some unfortunate circumstances. His band members can now be
found working in many of the leading Congolese music orchestras (Olomide,
Wemba, Boziana, etc).
Martin Sinnock's in-depth feature on
the Choc Stars and on Defao's solo career with The Big Stars orchestra
will provide you with an excellent overview and entice you to seek out
and listen to the many superb releases detailed below.
- Bikutsi 1, AfricaSounds |
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The Congo Kinshasa Update:
The second
article in the ongoing series of columns covering the contemporary music
of the Congo in the magazine The Beat was published in Volume 15 # 4
which was the August 1996 issue of the magazine. At the time the singer
Defao Matumona was the rising star of Congolese music and he was one of
the champions of the dance Kibinda Nkoï (the footsteps of the
leopard) which was to mutate, in 1997, into the celebrated dance
Ndombolo. Defao was to become virtually the King of Ndombolo due to
his remarkably agile dancing ability which belied his portly physique.
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I have been fortunate enough to meet up with Defao and spend time with
him in the recording studio and at one time he used to call me regularly
whilst on his travels in Africa asking me to make cassette recordings of
some of his favourite music. Defao was particularly keen to have copies
of my collection of recordings by the group Orchestre Kiam who featured
a singer Bakolo Keta who later became a member of Defao’s Big Stars.
The other artist that he would always ask for was the great singer Tabu
Ley Rochereau – an obvious influence. In later articles in the Congo
Kinshasa Update I have reviewed many subsequent recordings of Defao.
His prominence in the Congolese music arena has greatly diminished in
the last few years. This is due partly to his own naive business
sense and partly due to lack of any competent management. Despite
this he remains amongst my favourite half-dozen singers and from my own
experiences I would say that he is a thoroughly nice guy – albeit
slightly eccentric. I sincerely hope that he eventually achieves
the acclaim that he so thoroughly deserves. |
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From
Choc Stars to Big Stars
Following
last issue's investigation into the recent output of Papa Wemba's Viva
la Musica the Congolese music specialist, broadcaster and journalist
Martin Sinnock now gives us an insight into the recent recordings of
Choc Stars and the sensational breakaway Defao and the Big Stars.
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Choc Stars
are a part of the family of bands that are off-shoots of Zaïko Langa
Langa. Zaïko of course were the acknowledged leaders of the new
generation of youth bands that sprung up in the late sixties and early
seventies and served as an anti-dote to the classic Congolese rumba
bands of the fifties and sixties. |
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off-shoots of Zaïko it was perhaps Choc Stars who received the
least publicity in the West. Their fame was eclipsed by that of their
predecessors Langa Langa Stars, their successors Anti-Choc and other
rivals from the family of Zaïko like Papa Wemba's Viva la Musica,
Emeneya's Victoria Eleison and Koffi Olomide's Quartier Latin. |
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Choc Stars: Petit Prince,
Defao, Ditutala & Djanana |
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| There has
always been a certain understated and idiosyncratic charm to the music
of Choc Stars. They have over their 13 year history created a
remarkable body of work. Something in the region of fifty albums having
been released either under the Choc Stars name or else under the name of
individual singers. Their music has always had a romantic, tranquil,
even spiritual edge to it but, like all of the Kinshasa bands, they are
able to transform a serene ballad into a storming dance-piece at the
flip of a switch. Or more typically in the case of Choc Stars they are
able to develop a song through subtle pace changes and modulations.
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Choc Stars - Premier
Amour LP |
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| So instead
of the standard two-part song with a rumba (slow section) followed by a
sebene (dance section) they might use three or four sections to
the song thereby gradually and hypnotically working their magic on the
unsuspecting listener. Not only are their vocals divinely distinctive
but also their guitar sound and animations ("Roboti-Robota", “Eh
Wakatsa", "Swelema", "Nbala Suka") are instantly recognisable. This
band, like each of the other major Kinshasa acts, has its own system of
playing which immediately differentiates it from its contemporaries. |
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Choc Stars: Carlito, Debs, Defao,
Roxy and Ben Nyamabo |
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Le Duo Choc a Paris- Vol1 |
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| Choc Stars
was originally formed in November 1983 by Mutombo Ben Nyamabo who
remains its leader today. With him at the inception were singer Bozi
Boziana and guitarist Roxy Tshimpaka both formerly of Zaïko and both of
whom had in 1981 formed the Zaïko breakaway Langa Langa Stars with
Evoloko Jocker, Dindo Yogo, Djuna Djanana, Kisangani Esperant and Djo
Mali.
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Djo Mali, Djanana, Defs &
Bozi Boziana |
Djo Mali |
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Ben Nyamabo |
Ben Nyamabo |
Carlito |
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Roboti Robota |
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| Ben Nyamabo, never a major musical force himself, seems to have
the talent to surround himself with the cream of Kinshasa singers and
musicians. Joining vocalists Bozi Boziana and Ben himself in the mid
eighties were some impressive singers - Monza Premier, who after two big
Choc Stars hits set out on his own with Orchestre Stars- Magnats only to
eventually die in comparative obscurity; Carlito Lassa, one of the
Congo’s most important voices who frequently sang with Franco's OK Jazz
and was used by OK Jazz guitarists Simaro and Papa Noel to vocalise
their own solo projects; Defao Matumona (more about him later); Djuna
Djanana, like Bozi and Roxy, formerly one of the leaders of Langa Langa
Stars; Dieka Debaba, set to become another tremendously important
singer, who had come from Historia an off-shoot of Victoria Eleison;
and the impressive but lesser known Nzola Ndonga Petit Prince from
Victoria Eleison, Nzaya Nzayadio from Lipua-Lipua, and Zemano Germain
Kanza from Zaïko.
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Choc Stars "5eme
Anniversaire" |
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Carlito & Debs from the
"Jardin Abandonne" LP |
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Djanana & Choc Stars |
Djanana |
| Toward the end of the decade they also had Joly
Bakiemen Mubiala (half brother of Emeneya) singing with them for a
while. Long-term solo guitarist Roxy was joined by another soloist SOS
Watondo, and later in the nineties by Burkina-Faso, whilst mi-soloist
was Carrol Makamba and the third guitar part was played by Teddy Accompa.
Another former Zaïko and Langa Langa Stars member Djo Mali was the
regular bass guitarist with Wajery Lema acting as alternate bassman.
Leading the rhythm section throughout the history of Choc Stars has been
the Atalaku (animateur) Ditutala Kuama and for many years the band had
as a regular member one of the Congo’s best drummers Djudjuchet.
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Petit Prince, Defao,
Debs & Carlito |
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Ibrahim Bula LP |
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Defao from "Aime La Congolaise" |
DVLievin sleeve featuring Defao & Koffi Olomide |
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Choc 1986 - Vol 2 |
Defao 1989 |
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| Choc Stars
early successes featured predominantly the voice of Bozi Boziana and it
would be fair to say that his two year period with Choc Stars was one of
the most prolific and creative periods in his entire career. Classic
recordings like “Sandu Kotti”, “Alena”, “Mbuta-Mutu”, and the four
volumes of Retrouvailles a Paris emanated from these years.
Recently released is the CD compilation Benz Bozi Boziana - La Belle
Epoque (Ngapy 404091) which captures some of his best recordings
with Choc Stars. |
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Bozi Boziana, Ben
Nyamabo and Roxy |
Bozi Boziana |
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"La Belle Epoque" - Original
Artwork |
"La Belle Epoque" - Alternative
Artwork |
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| By the
time Bozi broke away to form his own outfit Anti-Choc in November 1985
Ben had built enough vocal strength in the Choc Stars line-up to
adequately compensate for the loss. By this stage three voices were
sublimely leading the vocal attack: As a three-part vocal harmony
Carlito, Debaba, and Defao could have been created in heaven. However,
irrespective of which combination of singers they chose, the recorded
output of either the band or its individuals seems, in retrospect, to be
uniformly superb. Some of this material has become available on Compact
Disc and the following recordings from this period are recommended: |
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Zikonda/Riana
(FDB 300018) |
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| Les
Merveilles du Passe - Choc Stars - Vol.3
(FDB 300006) |
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| Munduki
Elelo (Wotre Music Distribution 718025)
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Djo Mali, Ditutala, Petit Prince & Djanana |
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As we
moved into the 1990's the fortunes of Ben Nyamabo and Choc Stars
declined and it started to look like the party might be coming to an
end. Having already lost singers Monza and Bozi in the mid eighties Ben
now watched as the dream line-up gradually dwindled. Djanana departed,
partially to return to Langa Langa Stars for some projects and
eventually to join Papa Wemba where he has re-found some of his former
fame now as a regular member of Viva la Musica. Bass guitarist Djo Mali
took a similar route back to Langa Langa Stars eventually to join Zaïko
Langa Langa Familia Dei (the no. 2 line-up of Zaiko) and then to resort
to occasional "nzonzing" (impromptu session work). Defao in 1990 broke
away to form his own band and to become one of the Congo’s top artists
with his Orchestre Big Stars. |
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| Carlito pursued his OK Jazz career
devoting less and less time to Choc Stars before in 1995 sensationally
announcing his retirement from music in order to pursue a Christian
musical career. This announcement came just before the release of his
superb Africa Na Moto
(Declic 50480-2) cd. Debaba similarly
departed to pursue a solo and session career before he too renounced
profane music for Christianity. Guitarist Roxy Tshimpaka himself left
in order to re-join Zaïko Nkolo Mboka (the no. 1 line-up of Zaïko Langa
Langa), and Petit Prince, SOS Matondo, Carrol Makamba and Ditutala also
dramatically deserted. |
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Despite
the gradual but devastating defections Ben still managed to release a
couple of good early nineties albums :
Bakuke ( Sonodisc CD 61402 )
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| Laisser
Passer
(Tamaris CD 92012) |
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Bakuke
was released in 1992 before Debaba, Carlito and Roxy had left; and the
1993 release Laisser Passer still had Debaba in the band.
In 1995 however the band made a sensational come-back releasing what for
me turned out to be two of the best records of the year:
Dernier
Metro (Ngapy 404071)
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Bango
Oyo Baye - Action Direct - Nouvel Album 1995
(Shabani F 170 CD) |
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Metro is packaged to look like a
posthumous release with a sleevenote that states that it was the last
session of the complete band before the big defection of Defao, Debaba
and Carlito. Although Defao had left to form his Big Stars in 1990 he
was still amicable enough with Ben to return for some Choc Star
recordings. Joining the heaven sent trio are Germain Kanza and Nzaya
Nzayadio. Ben himself was not credited on this disc and may well have
been absent through illness or even possibly during a spell in prison.
Guitarists are Roxy, SOS and Carrol, Wajery on bass, drummer Wadadi and
animateur Ditutala. The cd opens with a 15 minute medley of "Taty Type"
and "Mokolo Mosusu" , two great songs composed by Swiss based Sedjo-Ka
de Meli-Melo, an occasional collaborator of Choc Stars. |
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| Dernier
Metro was certainly the last recording of
the band "au grand complet" (with the full line-up) but the follow up
Bango Oyo Baye was equally impressive despite the absence of Debaba
and Carlito. Again Ben managed to bring Defao back to the fold for this
recording and since things had not worked out for Roxy in Zaïko Langa
Langa he too was back in Ben's line-up. It turns out to be another Choc
Stars gem despite some slightly intrusive keyboard and its
unsophisticated sound quality. Ably assisting Defao and Ben with the
vocals are Petit Prince, Germain Kanza and Nzaya Nzayadio. |
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It is my opinion that Defao has perhaps the finest technical voice in the Congo.
Most of the top singers like Bozi Boziana, Koffi Olomide, Emeneya, even
Zaiko and Wenge Musica have superb voices – however, like singers in all
forms of music, they have moments of difficulty finding their pitch -
particularly during live performances. On occasion I've heard top
bands' vocal sections excruciatingly out of tune for perhaps the first
hour of a show until inexplicably they suddenly gel together and
harmoniously soar like an angelic choir. Defao, however, is a singer
who never seems to have pitch problems. On disc his voice is always
effortlessly in tune, an accomplishment that I was amazed to witness
recreated on stage for nearly five hours when I first caught his live
show. |
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Matumona Defao Lulendo
"Le General Defao" - 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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Matumona Defao Lulendo
"Le General Defao" - 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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Born in
Kinshasa on 31 December 1958 Matumona Defao Lulendo started his musical
career in 1976, initially in Orchestre Suka Movema, then Fogo Stars
followed by Korotoro, and in 1978 Somo West. In 1981 he was enrolled
into the then newly formed Grand Zaïko Wawa of guitarist Pepe Felix
Manuaku before joining Ben Nyamabo in the formation of Choc Stars.
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Matumona Defao Lulendo
"Le General Defao" - 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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It was with
both Choc Stars and Orchestre Shakara Gagna Gagna (under the direction
of Jeanpy Wable Gypson) that "Le General Defao" first came to national
prominence. Working beside Ben Nyamabo, Debaba, Carlito, Bozi
Boziana, and Djuna Djanana in the phenomenal Choc Stars Defao developed
his songwriting, singing, and dancing talent. |
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Jeanpy Wable |
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Solo guitarist Safro Manzangi
and rhythm guitarist Jagger Bokoko- 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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He finally
quit Choc Stars at the end of 1990 in order to form Big Stars with Djo
Poster (another former Grand Zaïko singer). The partnership was not to
last and eventually Djo departed leaving Defao to singlehandedly lead
the band. He gathered together a line-up of new musicians for Big
Stars. Although initially Roxy joined him from Choc Stars he was not to
last and eventually a young dynamic soloist Jagger Bokoko was to become
Defao's regular star attraction, along with his animateur Azanga.
These two feature on virtually all of Defao's post Choc Stars releases,
sometimes with the new musicians of Big Stars and sometimes with guest
session players and well known guest vocalists. Other regular Big Stars
members are
singers DjoDjo Bayenge, Debleu Kinanga, Adoli Bamweniko, guitar
accompanist Mogus, bass guitarist Guy Wa Nzambi, drummer Richa Cogna
Cogna and percussionists Sejo and Kavanda. |
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.Defao & Abololo
St. Esprit (singer and creator of dances) (at right) - 27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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Since its
inception and (at the time of writing this article in 1996) there have
been at least seventeen Big Stars releases, six of which came onto the
European marketplace in 1995. Add this to the body of work that he
released whilst with Choc Stars under either his own name or else as the
featured composer of the band and we are left with an extremely
impressive catalogue of music.
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| Azanga -
27 January 1995 at The
African Hall, Dalston, London (by Martin Sinnock) |
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Here are
just a few of my personal recommendations of Defao material with Shakara
Gagna Gagna, Choc Stars and Big Stars:-
Orchestre
Shakara Gagna Gagna - Luvambanu
( Afro Rythmes AR 1006) - One of
several sessions Defao did for Jeanpy Wable Gypson.
Orchestre
Choc Stars - DV/Lievin/Gina/Santa
(Afro Rythmes AR 0993/Globestyle
ORB009) - This 1986 French release featuring four Defao songs with guest
vocalist Koffi Olomide was subsequently issued in England by Globestyle
as "Choc-Shock-Choc" along with Awa et
Ben (ORB010 ). The
superlative track “Santa” was later included on a Big Stars cd -
Engunduka (FDB 300071).
Defao and
Carlito - Le Duo Choc a Paris Vol 1
(Anytha Ngapy SA300084) - 1986 record with Defao, Carlito and Debaba
plus Ringo Star on solo guitar.
Choc Stars
- Roboti Robota Deux a Deux (Afro Rythmes AR0998) - Singers Defao,
Bozi and Monza Premier.
Choc Stars
- Nalandaka Te (Espera 618) - Includes Defao's classic "Obi".
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| Defao -
La Force Tranquille (Clesh Atipo Ngapi ANC 1198) - From 1989 and
still one of my favourite Defao albums this features guest vocalists
Koffi Olomide, Pepe Kalle, Luciana and Carlito plus musicians from Choc
Stars. Now available as a cd - La Saga de Defao (FDB 300101) which combines La Force Tranquille with a superb 1989 Defao led
Choc Stars album Chagrin Dimone. However if you are fortunate
enough to ever see the LP of La
Force Tranquille buy it because it has a
completely different and superior mix to the cd. |
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Chagrin Dimone LP |
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"La Saga de Defao" - Original
Artwork |
"La Saga de Defao" - Alternative
Artwork |
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Aime la Congolaise (Rythmes & Musique RMU 900)
- 1990 release with
the ideal combination of voices Defao, Carlito, Debaba and guest Papa
Wemba.
Defao &
son groupe - Hitachi
(Anytha Ngapy 0908 DF) - Another 1990 release with Choc Stars
featuring Defao, Debaba, Nzaya and Kanza just prior to Defao leaving the
band.
Hitachi
is now available on cd combined with Kopalangana Te under the cd
title
Les Merveilles du Passe - Defao & Choc Stars - Vol. 2 (FDB
300002)". |
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Defao -
Amour Scolaire (CD 60330) -
The first really big hit for Defao after
leaving Choc Stars. Released on CD in 1992. |
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Defao &
les Big Stars - Engunduka (FDB 300071) - Four early Big Stars
tracks plus two Choc Stars classics "Santa" and "Lina de Olo".
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Big Stars
du General Defao - Djem's (Sonodisc CD 65052)
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| Defao &
les Big Stars - Benson (Tonton Jacques TON 001) - London based
producer Tonton Jacques managed to release what is my favourite post
Choc Stars release by Defao. Another impressive line-up of guest
vocalists Dindo Yogo, Reddy Amisi, Luciana, Djuna Djanana; and joining
Big Stars soloist Jagger and animateur Azanga are guitarist Alain Makaba
from Wenge Musica, keyboard session wizard Nzenze and percussionist Iko
Ikonolo from Viva la Musica. |
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| Defao -
Pitie Mon Amour (Maillot Jaune MJ 01 CDS) |
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Defao -
Famille Kikuta (Defao Production DEF 001)
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| Le General
Defao - Dernier Album 95 (Antabel ATB 03) |
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| Footnote: Although I have mentioned only a few Big Stars items I would
wholeheartedly recommend all of their releases except perhaps
APO (FDB 300191) which
suffers from a very clumsy mix. |
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| Coming Soon...More "Congo
Kinshasa Updates" on AfricaSounds
This concludes the 2nd of a series of
"Congo Kinshasa Updates" by Martin Sinnock. AfricaSounds is
thrilled to be working alongside Martin on this special project.
We hope that you have enjoyed the commentary and corresponding images
from Martin Sinnock's extensive Congolese music archives. We are
please to announce that the "Congo Kinshasa Updates" will continue with
the following upcoming features. Please note that the original
texts are from The Beat magazine, a highly recommended bi-monthly print
publication. |
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Martin Sinnock in 1996 -
Martin can be heard broadcasting his radio show "Viva
La Musica" on Totally Radio
- [LINK] |
Upcoming Features by Martin Sinnock:
- Article # 3 - "Bozi
Boziana: Zaiko to Anti-Choc with a string of beautiful women"
- Article # 4 -
"London, Paris, Kin, Brazza - Everybody Talk'about! King Kester Emeneya
& Victoria Eleison"
- Article # 5 - "Zaiko
Langa Langa - The Spirit Still Exists"
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