Beat_Vol

AfricaSounds Presents: Congo Kinshasa Updates

"London, Paris, Kin, Brazza - Everybody Talk'about! King Kester Emeneya & Victoria Eleison"

Written by Martin Sinnock

All Live concert photos by Martin Sinnock

Editors note: All photos copyright Martin Sinnock except for specific album sleeve photos and flyers as shown. All are from Martin Sinnock's Congolese music archive.

Editors Note:

We are thrilled to showcase the 4th feature in the Congo Kinshasa Updates series by Congolese music authority Martin Sinnock featuring one of our all-time favorite singers and band-leaders King Kester Emeneya. Through the eyes of Martin Sinnock we learn about Emeneya and his music, all from his personal perspective. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of research that was put into this particular feature and a wealth of information on the various singers and band members who have participated in Victoria Eleison from one time to another. Add to the text an extensive archive of vintage Emeneya concert photos and an extensive discography complete with album sleeves and we have one fitting tribute to "the King". You may also enjoy a radio feature that we recorded on Martin's Viva La Musica show on Totally Radio that showcases hits from King Kester Emeneya's musical career. All-in-all, it's a jam packed feature. Enjoy!

Bikutsi 1 - AfricaSounds Webmaster

The Beat : Article # 4: Introduction to the Africasounds King Kester Emeneya feature originally published in 1996 in Volume 15 # 6 of The Beat magazine.

Back in the early 1990s I was fortunate to be in quite close contact with Gerard Akueson, husband of Abeti Masekini and, at the time, an active producer and concert promoter. Knowing that I was keen to help promote the joys of Congolese music outside of the Congolese community "Tonton Akué" encouraged me to meet musicians and extend my appreciation of the music. At the time he was handling one of my favourite artists, King Kester Emeneya, for his AMG record label and he kindly introduced me to the singer. Shortly after our first meeting Emeneya played his first London concert promoted by saxophonist Mekanisi Modero, former chef d’orchestre of Tabu Ley Rochereau’s Afrisa International. Modero was also enthusiastic to get me more involved directly with musicians and with his assistance I was able to meet up with Emeneya on several occasions. The singer rapidly rose even further in my estimation, partly as a result of hearing him perform live frequently, partly because his albums were of such a high quality, and also because he became a friend.

The article that we now publish at Africasounds was originally written in 1996, at a time that the Congolese sapeur (high fashion) movement was at its peak. Emeneya was hugely popular amongst the knowledgeable sapeur audience but by the end of the decade his status as Congo’s "musician’s musician" had increased even further. During subsequent articles in The Beat I frequently returned to the subject of his music and we will in due course be posting those other features here on the Africasounds website. This will allow our readers to keep up to date on the career and recordings of one of the true "gentlemen" of Congolese music.

Martin Sinnock – 2006

Live Concert 16 August 1991 - Venue: Dougie’s in London

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

Mabusele & Emeneya

King Kester Emeneya

London, Paris, Kin, Brazza - Everybody Talk’about! King Kester Emeneya and Victoria Eleison

After another scorchingly hot summer with the ex-pat Congolese community of London, Paris and Bruxelles our Congo specialist, Martin Sinnock updates us on another of the sapeurs’ favourite singers and his dynamic band.

Whilst it must be acknowledged that Papa Wemba remains probably the most popular of Congo’s so-called "New Wave" singers there are an equal number of serious aficianados (known as "melomanes") of Rumba Lingala who, if questioned, would state their preference for Emeneya and his band Victoria Eleison. Jean Mubiala or Emeneya or Jo Kester is affectionately and respectfully referred to by the title "Ya Mukolo" ( the Boss) or "Nkwa Mambu" (the Cause of Problems) - a name which infers his superior talent rather than suggesting that he has any malicious intentions.

Live Concert Abeti Masekini & les Redoubtables plus King Kester Emeneya with Gina wa Gina guesting

6 June 1992

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

Gina wa Gina

Gina wa Gina & Emeneya

Joly Mubiala

Gina wa Gina

Emanating from Kikwit in the Bandundu region "Emeneya" started his musical career in a student group Les Kassapards, and for a while sang with Mopero, leader of the group Shama Shama. He then became one of the second wave of Papa Wemba’s singers in Viva la Musica. This was the period of Viva la Musica (late seventies) when Wemba was associating himself with talented new songwriters like Emeneya and Koffi Olomide and Dindo Yogo and although it is now difficult to obtain original recordings from this period there are some CD compilations with tracks featuring both Koffi and Emeneya that at least give an indication of the potency of Viva’s music at the time. Classic early Viva songs like "Dikando", "Ngonda", "Ndako ya Ndele", "Princesse ya Synza" and "Samba Samba" include the voice of Emeneya. It was here that he rapidly became popular for not only his song-writing and vocal skills but also his slightly off-beat and streetwise look. Later he was to acquire the nickname "Jesus" as he sported from time to time his casual and intellectual looking goatee beard, a slightly bizarre image amongst the traditionally clean shaven and stylishly dressed sapeurs of Kinshasa. The "Jesus" nickname came after a visit to his home following the initial huge success of his own group Victoria Eleison. His father, on seeing the bearded Jean, expressed a certain amount of contempt that those of us in the West that have been through the "long-hair" image can surely relate to. The words said in the Bandundu language Kikongo may strike a note to many of us : " Jean, nge me kuma bonso Yezu!" - which translates more-or-less as "So now you come home looking like Jesus!".

Emeneya’s casual look did not last and he is today one of the idols of the well turned out Congolese community. Like his former colleague Wemba he follows "la Sape" (high fashion) and like Wemba he does not merely limit his music to his own culture. However, Emeneya’s early recordings remain true to the Kinshasa principle of hard guitar driven rumba. His band, originally formed in 1982, featured a line-up of musicians many of whom had come from Viva la Musica. With him in those early days when he broke away from Wemba were singer Bipoli na Fula, guitarist Mongoley, and bass guitarist Temba Pinos. Santana Mongoley, one of the leading solo guitarists of the period had previously played in one of the many incarnations of Orchestra Bella Bella followed by Lipua Lipua before becoming a member of Viva la Musica. Another ex Viva musician and highly influential character in the story of Victoria Eleison is Safro Manzangi, the rhythm guitarist, who left Wemba shortly after the formation of Emeneya’s "rebel" outfit and eventually became Victoria’s musical director until 1991 when both he, Mongoley and Pinos left the group.

Like all Kinshasa musical ensembles the Victoria story is fraught with jealosy, dispute, intrigue and rebellion. In 1984, only two years after its formation, a breakaway faction led by Bipoli started working under the bizarre name "Victoria Principal". For this group Bipoli had taken some of Emeneya’s top line-up including guitarists Tofla, Safro, Huit Kilos and drummer Patcho Star. Former Stukas guitarist Dodoly joined along with young vocalists Jarrys Fimbo, Wally Ngonda, Cartouche and Joly Mubiala. The project was short-lived with Emeneya soon regaining control after Bipoli had made a short trip to Europe.

Live Concert 28 August 1992 - Venue: Tottenham Green Centre, London

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

Emeneya & Safro

Vieux Motoro & Emeneya

Thethe, Safro & Malembe

Safro &Augui Lutula

Safro & Akwesa

MalembeChant

Mabusele, Didier, Lomanga & Emeneya

Emeneya

Safro & Akwesa

Safro

Emeneya

Mabusele & Emeneya	Emeneya & Safro	Emeneya	Wabanko & Emeneya

Emeneya & Safro	Emeneya

Mabusele & Malembe	Mabusele & Malembe

Emeneya

Augui Lutula

Augui & Akwesa

The subsequent success of Emeneya and Victoria Eleison was phenomenal and he, as an individual interpreter of the new Congolese song style (i.e. post-Big Band Rumba), became duly acknowledged as the leader of his generation. Despite the inevitable rivalry between Emeneya and his former band-leader Papa Wemba there has always been some mutual respect between the two. In fact in 1991 the two outfits Viva and Victoria teamed up for some concerts in Kinshasa and for a while plans were made for Wemba and Emeneya to record together. Whilst that project never came to fruition there has always been a firm belief amongst those close to Wemba that he still laments the loss of Emeneya’s voice and compositional talent and would, if at all possible, one day be prepared to re-integrate him into Viva la Musica. Further collaborations are always possible but I suspect that Emeneya at this stage in his career would not be interested in merely being a member of Viva. The current sensational collaboration between Wemba and Koffi Olomide ("Wake-Up") implies that Wemba has serious intentions to work again with former colleagues and so it is hopeful that one day a re-union between him and Emeneya is possible.

In order to create the legend of Emeneya Emerite and Orchestre Victoria Eleison some of the cream of the Congo’s young musicians have been employed by Emeneya. In addition to Bipoli, Safro, Santana and Pinos a string of Wemba’s musicians jumped ship from Viva to join the increasingly popular Emeneya. Singers Debaba, Petit Prince and Joly Mubiala (half brother of Emeneya); guitarists Huit Kilos and Tofolo Tofla; drummer Patcho Star; and percussionist Ekoko Mbonda. These were later joined by guitarist Bongo Wende; drummer Otis Koyongonda; and percussionist Itshari. From outside the Viva camp came singers Makolin, Mabusele, Cartouche, Washifa and Gerry; guitarists Akwesa and Lutula; and drummer Djudjuchet. Then still further down the line would come singers Malembe El Chanto, chanteuse Thethee Monganga; bass guitarist Fellyko Mbuji-Mayi; percussionist Danny Takeso (Kashito Kassiala) and drummer Maneno Molenga.

Emeneya’s serious aspirations to break his music commercially outside the parochial Congolese marketplace have been partially successful. After releasing ten albums (some of which are European re-editions of his Verckys produced Kinshasa LPs) of hard Kinshasa rumba with the traditional slow opening followed by a guitar and animation led dance work-out Emeneya decided to try a commercial variation. His 1989 hit "Nzinzi" was a success across the African continent and is known internationally to lovers of tropical dance music with its infectious blend of Soukous, Zouk, Disco and hints of a South African stomp. Victoria have subsequently revived the "Nzinzi" rhythm in a couple of attempts to repeat the earlier success but with only partially satisfactory results. Aside from their commercial aspirations the band still cut some fine sebene and they remain one of the tightest and hardest rumba bands with a whole string of dance credits to their name :- Pompe Injection; Na Luka Na Luka; To zo Talela To zo Jumeler; Tokorondo; Ya Sukula; Maboko Likolo; Tralala Brakaka; Madagana.

Meanwhile ex Victoria stars Safro Manzangi (rhythm guitar) and Santana Mongoley (solo guitar) remained in London following Victoria’s successful first English concerts in 1991. They regularly perform together with a flexible roster of London based Congolese musicians and various visiting luminaries. Whilst in London Mongoley has recorded and released his own CD which includes guest vocals from Papa Wemba. He and Safro, two exemplary Victoria musicians, finally walked out on Emeneya in 1991 during a European tour after what can basically be described as financial disagreements. Safro has remained on friendly terms with Emeneya and frequently joins the group when they make their occasional visits to London. Safro’s forth-coming CD reprises many of his better songs as well as introducing new material and includes contributions from Emeneya.

Live Concert 4 September 1992 - Venue: Tottenham Green Centre, London

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

Thethe, Mabusele & Emeneya

Malembe, Safro & Emeneya

Emeneya

Malembe

[Left to Right]: Mabusele, Emeneya, Akwesa & Augui

Emeneya

[Left to Right]: Mabusele, Emeneya, Akwesa & Augui

WabankoEmeneya

Emeneya

Like all Kinshasa bands the popularity of Victoria ebbs and flows and the fact that Emeneya has remained in Europe for the last few years has meant that his profile has decreased slightly amongst the Kinois. Lack of record releases has not helped and neither has the negative press of his detractors who have suggested that since the move to Paris he has lost his edge. The 1995 prospect of Dindo Yogo (former Viva, Langa Langa Stars, Zaiko and solo legend) joining Emeneya had the fans buzzing. Dindo played several concerts with the band (plus sessions in Europe with virtually every other Zaire performer) but in the end decided to pursue his solo career with his own group Nguaka Aye.

Since moving to Paris in 1991, and until recently, Emeneya has worked under the expert management of Gerard Akueson, husband of the late singer Abeti Masekini, who has assisted in directing his career. Whilst based in Europe Emeneya has worked hard to keep a high profile by releasing his commercial mixes as well as his hard rumba, although not in the same prolific quantities as his rivals. Whilst not known for singing too many sessions for other artists he did lend his voice to Wenge Musica BCBG leader Alain Makaba’s hugely successful "Pile ou Face" session (CDS 8809) of 1995. Prior to that Emeneya’s guest appearances on recording sessions are sparce save for a notable 1985 session with Viva colleague Dindo Yogo, former Shama Shama colleague Mopero, Lipua Lipua’s Nzaya Nzayadio and ex Zaiko guitarist Manuaku. He also recorded on an early Koffi Olomide session and released a fine duet with Boulhos Loupino. More widely known however is the 1987 session that Emeneya’s musicians cut with Franco on the song "Attention na Sida" an Aids awareness song recorded in the absence of Franco’s regular OK Jazz line-up (available on Franco CD - CDS 6856).

Live Concert 9 June 1995 - Venue: Dougie's, London

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

[Left to Right]: Malembe, Bipoli, Emeneya, Mabusele & Safro

Bipoli & Emeneya

[Left to Right]: Bipoli, Wabanko & Emeneya

Safro

Malembe & Bipoli

Bipoli & Emeneya

Mabusele

Safro & Wabanko

Safro & Emeneya

Bipoli

Akwesa

[Left to Right]: Malembe, Bipoli, Emeneya, Mabusele & Safro

Malembe, Bipoli & Emeneya

Emeneya

King Kester Emeneya

Bipoli & Emeneya

Malembe, Bipoli & Emeneya

Akwesa & Emeneya

Emeneya currently has a superb pool of singers notably his "Capitaine de l’Equipe" Malembe El Chanto (currently calling himself Romario and parading himself in football strip). El Chanto is a former member of Minzoto Wella-Wella and occasionally whilst back in the Congo leads his own group Select Musica. Although El Chanto left Victoria in 1991 he re-joined in early 1992 and has since then remained loyal to Emeneya. Emeneya’s half brother Joly Bakiemen Mubiala (who seems to spread himself equally between Victoria and Wemba’s Viva la Musica) still regularly joins his brother both on stage and in the recording studio. Mabusele, now a permanent fixture in Victoria, is a singer who started his career in Orchestre Bella Bella in 1977 before joining Fuga-Fuga and then Kossa-Kossa. The dynamic Cartouche Ramatula, a former singer with Historia, whilst not always available to perform live with the group is a frequent addition to Emeneya’s outfit and has released a couple of brilliant " solo" recordings. A recent defect by longterm guitar accompanist Akwesa Kumbaro seems not to have severely damaged the band with soloist Augui Lutula admirably filling all the spaces on disc. In 1996, despite the loss of Akwesa, the Victoria line-up remains strong and sees the band in great form with a powerful disc "Pas de Contact" on the market. This recording features compositions by singer El Chanto and guitarist Lutula and is due to be followed by Emeneya’s certain return to favour with the imminent release of his newly composed album "Succes Fou - Rumba Dance Machine", a release which should give the Wemba/Olomide "Wake-Up" disc a good run for its money.

Franco Memorial Concert 10 August 1996 - Venue: Hot Brass, Paris

All photos copyright Martin Sinnock

Malembe, Emeneya & Mabusele

Malembe & Emeneya

Malembe

Danny & Malembe	Auguy Lutula		Victoria Eleison

[Left to Right]: Malembe, Gina wa Gina & Emeneya

Emeneya

Martin Sinnock with Victoria Eleison

Papy Ipepy

Malembe, Gina wa Gina & Emeneya

Gina wa Gina & Emeneya

Martin Sinnock & King Kester Emeneya


Gina wa Gina & Emeneya backstage	Gina wa Gina

Gina wa Gina

Malembo


Emeneya	Gina wa Gina & Emeneya	Gina wa Gina & Emeneya

Recommended recordings featuring Emeneya and Victoria Eleison (as available in 1996)

Viva la Musica (with Emeneya)

8e Anniversaire (EQ 3193 - subsequently re-issued on CD - EPP 02 ) - This classic early eighties Viva album features the original version of Emeneya’s song Ngonda along with some great Wemba songs.

Beloti (DS 7949) - Includes the original version of Dikando.

Rendre a Cesar, ce qui est a Cesar (TIP 001 - subsequently re-issued on CD PCD 2007 in Japan) - Another early hot Viva album.

La Belle Epoque (VAAD 1000 Japan only) - More early eighties Viva with Emeneya and other future Victoria musicians.

25 Ans de Succes (ACP 001) - Compilation of ten Viva tracks, some including Emeneya.

After the original publication of this feature in 1996 there was a series of cd releases that collected more of Emeneya’s recordings with Viva la Musica and also some of the earliest (1982) recordings made by his own breakaway group Victoria Eleison.

These releases (shown below) were subsequently reviewed in this column in The Beat magazine and will eventually feature here at Africasounds as we continue to publish the Congo Kinshasa Update series.

La Naissance de L'Orchestre Viva La Musica de Papa Wemba (1977/1978) Au Village Molokai - Reproduction Ngoyarto

L'Orchestre Viva La Musica (1977/1978/1979) - Papa Wemba & Emeneya Au Village Molokai - Reproduction Ngoyarto

Kester Emeneya & Viva La Musica

Kester Emeneya - Naya - Editions Veve - Reproduction Ngoyarto

Emeneya and Victoria Eleison

Emeneya et L’Orchestre Victoria : Okosi Ngai Mfumu (EVVI 20/REM 70)

Emeneya et Victoria Eleison : Mabala Commission (EVVI 39 Vol 2)

Victoria Eleison : Sango Mabala Commission (REM 370)

Victoria Eleison : Explosion (REM 500)

Emeneya et Victoria Eleison : Surmenage (EVVI 42 Vol 1)

Emeneya Emerite et Le Victoria Eleison : Kimpiatu (EVVI 46)

Emeneya Emerite et Le Victoria Eleison : Wabelo (EVVI 56/ REM 610)

Note : All of the tracks featured on the above Verckys produced recordings have subsequently been re-issued on the following three CDs which represent the initial Belle Epoque of Victoria. Sadly despite intense public demand it has now become difficult to obtain even the re-issue CDs but pressure is currently being exerted to have this series re-pressed :

Victoria Eleison Vol 1 (FDB 300092)

Victoria Eleison Vol 2 (FDB 300093)

Victoria Eleison Vol 3 (FDB 300102)

Kester Emeneya : Willo Mondo (Feel Sound FS 001 - CD re-issue FDB 300239) - Re-issued on CD in conjunction with a great Dindo Yogo LP "Prix Nobel de la Paix 85". Includes three of Kester’s best songs Willo Mondo, Dembela and Ata Nkale.

Emeneya et Le Victoria Eleison : Manhattan (EVVI 70) - The only LP from the period between 82-89 (ten Lps) not yet to receive a CD re-issue. This LP includes Safro’s masterpiece "Ata Mpiaka", another of the sublime Victoria sentimental lyrics allowing Kester to show his vocal compassion.

Victoria Eleison : Kwasa Kwasa (KL 02 - CD re-issue CD 9601 ) - Not to be confused with the interpretation of "Kwassa Kwassa" popularly peddled by the likes of Kanda Bongo Man. Kwassa was the obligatory dance of the day and Victoria merely dropped it in like everyone else did at the time. Another great collection of songs with the added variation of a horn section ( OK Jazz) to spice up the conventionallly horn-less new wave mix.

Jo Kester Emeneya : Nzinzi (KL 04)) - 1989 and one of the most famous songs to ever come out of the Congo resulting in a near cross-over hit. Kester’s lyric for Nzinzi (the Fly) is controversial and in many ways explains why he has subsequently prefered to live in Europe and infrequently return to Congo. A veiled dig at the son of a politician who was known for stealing others’ wives the song ends with the compassionate request "Look after my wife, don’t let her fall, she is so fragile." The lyrical intensity is submerged by a fabulous dance-floor workout (Disco-Zouk) that bears little relevance to normal Kinshasa rumba.

Dr. Emeneya et Victoria Eleison : Mokosa (EVVI 120) - 1990 and the last album to include Mongoley, Safro and Tembo Pinos. Mokosa continues the Pan-African experimentation of Nzinzi albeit with a return to a Kinshasa guitar sensibility. "Mokosa (The Rash)" was probably another veiled swipe at the same target as Nzinzi. As well as Kester’s title song this LP includes Safro’s "Made", a song originally composed whilst he was with Victoria Principal.

Emeneya Kester & Victoria Eleison : La Elegance (PGS 2) / ( FDB 100063) - 1991 release produced by Production Grand Samurai of Japan. Sparkling new versions of three Emeneya songs originally cut with Viva la Musica in 79/80, Dikando, Ngonda and Ndako ya Ndele. Also includes the second version of brother Joly Mubiala’s beautiful "Amelo". For another example of the sensitivity of Emeneya check this vocal insert to Amelo : " Na tuni ya Safro - Zongisa ata Eyano - Nazwi yango te na komi se kolela. : I’ve asked Safro the question, I’ve received no reply, now I’ve started to cry." This recording, cut shortly after Safro and Mongo Ley left the group, catches Ya Mukolo with his heart on his sleeve, and the band returning to playing in a straight Kinshasa style.

Victoria-Eleyson d’Emeneya Ya Mukolo : Presente par Polo Kina ( AMG 27) - Whilst Kester worked on his next "cross-over" disc Victoria put out another fine Kinshasa style album composed by the group members. Two songs from Lutula including the hit "Dandy"; one each from Malembe, Mabusele, Fellyko and chanteuse Thethee. It should be noted that Kester, along with Bozi Boziana, was one of the first of the so called "Troisieme Generation" (New Wave) of Congolese singers to encourage the inclusion of a female voice.

King Kester Emeneya : Everybody ( CDS 6809) - 1993 and in a dramatic major change of direction Kester released a solo disc that dropped the guitars and aimed itself squarely at a global audience. Although the performance was well executed and the material of a consistently high standard the style was alien to the Congolese and the disc was inadequately promoted to enable a universal crossover a la Wemba’s Real World efforts. In retrospect it should be acknowledged that this is a superb collection of songs most of which would later be adapted and integrated into the Victoria "live" set. Despite the Congolese’ reservations the songs "Bosobikali" and the apocalyptic "Nzila Velele" became hits.

Emeneya Kester & Victoria Eleyson : Live In Japan ( PGS 21) - Having virtually exiled himself from the Congo Emeneya successfully tackled the rest of the world and like Zaïko and Wemba before him tapped into the potentially lucrative Japanese market. Serious rumba fan Maestro Arai got him some good gigs including a hot and long TV live show complete with interview. In 1993 Arai’s Grand Samurai label put out this cleanly recorded no-frills live set which proves perfectly exactly how good a live band Victoria are.

King K. Emeneya : Live ( MBC 001) - Although not recorded live on stage this disc was intended to recreate the live feeling of the Victoria style of performance in the mid nineties. Having slightly blown it with the "Everybody" disc Kester wisely re-vamped the same set of songs to include his band and its conventional Kinshasa "sebene". Includes great versions of Nzinzi and Mokosa. To keep a commercial "Paris" edge to the mix he uses the animations of "3615 Code Niawu".

Victoria Eleyson de King Kester Emeneya : Pas de Contact ( CDS 8813) - 1995 and another interim disc composed by singer Malembe El Chanto and guitarist Augui Lutula while Kester works on his own material for the forthcoming "Succes Fou". Pas de Contact is a wonderful disc that has re-asserted Victoria’s position as one of the strongest of the contemporary working Congolese bands. Other than Zaïko and Viva it is worth mentioning that they are also the longest surviving.

Other Victoria Eleison related releases

Safro Manzangi et Le Victoria Eleison : Ambenzo (EVVI 52) - Safro’s first solo album released in the mid eighties is a total diversion from Kinshasa style rumba and mixes his own unique interpretation of soul, funk and reggae. Although the sleeve credits Victoria the actual disc credits Afro International as the backing band.

Le Prophete Cartouche de Victoria Eleison : Double Jeu (ESP 8423) - A great first solo album cut in 1986 with backing from Rigo Star.

Jipe Swiss et L’Orchestre Victoria Eleison (TCP 001) - A half decent album put out in 1987 by European based friend and occasional singer JP Swiss.

Cartouche : Prima Donna (KL029) - 1989 album put out by Cartouche at a time when he was doing a lot of recording work with the incredibly under-exposed genius Djo Nolo. Like the first Cartouche solo LP this is not a Victoria album but still manages to ooze with the quality and sensitivity of Victoria.

Boulhos Loupino / Emeneya Ya Mukolo : Kassika Manda (LP 53314) - A neat vocal duet that features Kester and a very mellow sounding Victoria line-up.

Santana Mongoley : Save Your Life/Robertino (Mongo Mongo 01) - 1994 London recording with Mongoley joined by Safro’s rhythm guitar and former colleagues from Viva : Papa Wemba, Reddy, Stino and Djuna Djanana; and a good young London singer Gordon Masiala. A reasonably accomplished session with a slightly odd addition of some female soul vocals sung in English.

Cassette only : Kester Emeneya - Nzinzi (version originale) - (Black 46008-1) - Supposedly this alternate original cut of Nzinzi was made for the Kinshasa market. A rough and raunchy sound throughout the four tracks on this cassette suggest that this may have been rehearsal tapes only.

Cassette only : Malembe El Chanto de Victoria Eleison - Tigana de Zaire : Chaque Chose en son Temps (0204) - It is a tragedy that Malembe’s solo disc was never issued on LP or CD as it happens to be one of my favourite Victoria Eleison releases. Malembe’s voice is strong and dramatic, the band play hot, and the songs are superb.

Victoria Eleison avec Fale Fale Japanes - Marceline Ngufulu ( CD JFSM 91860)

Victoria Eleison avec Fale Fale Japanes- Volume 2 - Mira Dora ( SD 009 3 95) - Former singer with Maray Maray’s Rumba Ray the singer Fale Fale has been a "reserve" player who put out these two fine albums both of which include Kester and a complete Victoria line-up. The 1996 Volume 2 also includes a great guest vocal from Dindo Yogo.

ictoria Eleison avec Fale Fale Japanes - Mystique

Le Prophete Cartouche Ramatoula & les Victoria Eleison - Orphee Sissi ( AMG 28)

Le Prophete Cartouche & Victoria Eleison All Stars - Every body Talk’bout ( Japan Excellent Mix! - Grand Samurai) - These two 1994 releases are essentially the same disc although the Japanese remix directed by Maestro Arai makes it seem like a completely different album. This album ( the Japanese issue) is not only one of my favourite Victoria discs but it is one of my favourite discs of all time. Kester and the band are all present on a fabulous collection of songs that catches Victoria Eleison on top form.

Martin Sinnock - 1996