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Kanda Bongo Man

Kanda Bongo Man (born 1955 in Inongo, Democratic Republic Of The Congo) is a Congolese soukous musician who became the singer for Orchestra Belle Mambo in 1973, developing a sound influenced by Tabu Ley Rochereau. His solo career only started to take off after moving to Paris in 1979, where his music started to incorporate elements of then-vibrant zouk music (originating in the French West Indies). He is known for the structural changes he implemented to soukous music. The previous approach was to sing several verses and have one guitar solo at the end of the song. Kanda Bongo Man revolutionized soukous by encouraging guitar solos after every verse and even sometimes at the beginning of th*e song. His form of soukous gave birth to the kwassa kwassa dance rhythm where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. Like many African rumba and soukous musicians before him, Kanda Bongo Man also had an entourage of musicians. Many of Kanda's musicians later moved on to start their own solo careers. Most notable of these was Diblo Dibala, Known as "Machine Gun", Diblo Dibala was a vital part of Kanda Bongo Man's lineup on several albums, including "Kwasa Kwasa" and "Amour Fou". Kanda Bongo Man still tours in Europe and the United States. On July, 2005, he performed at the Live8: Africa Calling concert in Cornwall.

Links To Peel[]

John_Peel's_Glastonbury-0

John Peel's Glastonbury-0

Championed by John Peel and Andy Kershaw in the 80’s, Kanda Bongo Man developed a huge loyal fanbase, and was a key figure in the introduction of African & World music to the mainstream. Kanda Bongo Man did two sessions for Peel's show in 1993 and 2003. At the Glastonbury Festival in 2003, Peel saw the artist perform live and was shown on BBC's Glastonbury television coverage dancing to his performance, which was very rare for Peel to do. Before Peel introduced Kanda Bongo Man at Glastonbury on television, he mentioned himself dancing to the artist:

"You may spot a vaguely familiar face amongst the crowd dancing I've been told, dancing, this is the wonderful magnificent Kanda Bongo Man"

Sessions[]

Kanda_Bongo_Man_(R.D.Congo)_-_John_Peel_2002_Session_-_Congo_Music

Kanda Bongo Man (R.D.Congo) - John Peel 2002 Session - Congo Music

1. Recorded: 1993-06-16. Broadcast: 30 July 1993

  • Yesu Christu / Sai / Wallow

2. Recorded: 2002-02-20. Broadcast: 26 February 2002

  • Sancho / Yesu Christu / Bili

Live[]

Recorded at Glastonbury: 2003-06-27. Broadcast: 21 August 2003

  1. Wallow
  2. Bili
  3. Muchana
  4. Amour Perdu
  5. Yesu Christu
  6. Sana

Other Shows Played[]

1983
1986
1987
1988
  • 07 February 1988 (BFBS): J.T. (LP - Amour Fou / Crazy Love) Hannibal
  • 13 February 1988 (Radio Bremen): E' mame (album - Amour Fou / Crazy Love) Hannibal
  • 17 February 1988: Malinga (LP - Amour Fou / Crazy Love) Hannibal
  • 02 March 1988: J.T. (LP - Amour Fou / Crazy Love) Hannibal (Peel calls the track J-Two)
1989
Kanda_Bongo_Man_-_Mazina

Kanda Bongo Man - Mazina

1990
  • 11 April 1990: Naloti (album - Kwassa Kwassa) Hannibal
  • 23 April 1990: Likambo (album - Kanda Bongo Man Presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 05 May 1990 (BFBS): Likambo (album - Kanda Bongo Man presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 09 May 1990: Souci Ya Motema (album - Kanda Bongo Man presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 12 May 1990 (BFBS): Souci Ya Motema (album - Kanda Bongo Man presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 06 June 1990: Likambo (album - Kanda Bongo Man presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 12 June 1990: Likambo (album - Kanda Bongo Man presents Diasi Kadi) Ockland
  • 03 November 1990: Monie (LP - Isambe - Monie) Melodie Distribution
  • 04 November 1990: Isambe (LP - Isambe - Monie) Melodie Distribution
  • 16 November 1990 (BFBS): Wallow (LP - Isambe - Monie) Melodie Distribution
  • 23 November 1990 (BFBS): Kadhi (LP - Isambe - Monie) Melodie Distribution
1991
1992
K_is_for..._Kanda_Bongo_Man

K is for... Kanda Bongo Man

1993
1996
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004

See Also[]

External Links[]

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