Born November 13,
1940 at
Banningville (current
Bandundu) in
Congo Kinshasa (
DRC), Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi aka
Tabu Ley Tabu Ley (or
Rochereau or Seigneur Rochereau) is one of the biggest stars of the
Congolese rumba and soukous from. In
2011, his son
Youssoupha, large
French durap voice makes him through the title "My father's records" desire of the
Black album. Tabu Ley died
30 November 2013 in
Brussels (Belgium), following a long illness
...
Teenager shy,
Pascal Ley (now Tabu Ley in
1973) sees nicknamed "Rochereau" at the age of 15 by his classmates because he is the only answer to a question posed by his history teacher about
Colonel Denfert-Rochereau. The same year, he made his first stage appearance at the stage of May 20 in Leopoldville (now
Kinshasa in 1960) and the evening was crowned winner of the Congolese song. Rochereau however remains amateur until
1959, when he enlisted in the
African Jazz Kabasélé alias
Joseph "
Grand Kalle Jeff," one of the most prestigious orchestras of the
1960s owes its first contract in Kassanda guitarist
Dr. Nico, impressed by the power of his voice major. Joseph Kabasélé advantage of his popularity to propel the
Bantu of the capital,
Manu Dibango and
Franco who will play with Rochereau. In
1963, it leaves a heavy heart Joseph Kabasélé for which he nourishes a deep friendship.
Rochereau then founded the orchestra
African Fiesta National, with
Roger Izeidi and
Dr Nico and will launch later
Afrisa International.
Contrary to the tradition that emphasizes the choruses amid rumba cha cha, Rochereau as Franco innovate by introducing into the orchestrations of the time the song solo and the introductory verse followed by a long instrumental execution, sebene during which the benefit of the fully improvised lead guitar is highlighted. This is the birth of soukous. Strongly influenced by black
American musicians, especially by
James Brown, he is much work his stage play. It urges the dancers, the Rocherettes and resumes the techniques of shows in the US. He engaging the services of a second vocalist
Mbilia Bel, whose hip thrusts and the beautiful androgynous voices are a real attraction. The same year, the Zairian artist plays in
Hamburg together with a then unknown
British band, the
Beatles.
Besides his numerous concerts in
Africa and
Europe,
Tabu Ley Rochereau founded his first record company,
ISA, and released in 1966
Mokolo Na Kokufa his first gold record. Yet the galleys abound Rochereau and cross harsh periods before knowing the consecration. On several occasions he impose on his family and his musicians very difficult living conditions. But his sacrifice will not be in vain and the group becomes popular throughout Africa imposing the domination of the rumba on other continental music. In
1970 he was one of the first African artists to perform at the
Olympia in
Paris. This prestigious show opens the doors of the world. In
1984, Tabu Ley will tour 27
US states and
New York will perform in front of 1200 people.
Crowned with success, the artist becomes businessman, opens in Kinshasa its own nightclub,
Type K, which occurs every night when not abroad.
Trainer vocalists including many Mbilia Bel and
Faya Tess, it accumulates gold records in
1985 and won a
Golden Maracas for his 25-year career succeeding
Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango and
Francis Bebey.
In
1988, Tabu Ley Rochereau flew to
Los Angeles where he remained a year and will attend several American stars like
Eddie Murphy,
Jim Brown and
Rebbie Jackson,
Michael's sister. Sensing the political problems in
Zaire (now
Democratic Republic of Congo), not very in tune with the power (as opposed to Franco, the idol of
President Mobutu) and the hollow of his career after the departure of Mbilia Bel in 1988, Tabu Ley decided to move to Paris for a few months and then in
South Africa.
The April 21, 1990, he was invited to the celebration of the independence of
Namibia Ziggy Marley company and
Thomas Mapfumo and fate in
1993 after its Scandinavian and American tour, the album of
Fire fireworks (fest.
Papa Wemba). The same year, he recorded the album
Exile Ley, a pamphlet against President Mobutu, whose song "The bell rang" is censored by the government. In
1994, he participated with his hit "Paquita," written in
1965, the album Gombo
Salsa Africando who earned a gold record in the US in
1996.
Africa World Wide released by
Rounder Records celebrates thirty cing year career.
Tracks consists of:
Le Monde A L'envers (Tabu Ley), Emmandie (Tabu Ley - there are two versions of this track),
Souci Fua Bo (Pompon Kuleta,
Camarade (Faya Tess), and Ize (
Dodo Munoko).
Vocals: Tabu Ley Rochereau, Pompon Kuleta, Faya Tess, Dodo Munoko
Solo Guitarist: Nseka Huit Kilos
Mi-solo Guitarist: Caien
Madoka
Rhythm Guitarist:
Dave Makondele
Bassist:Shaba Kahamba
Drums: Getry Mawabu
Alto Saxophone – Akazol Kalula
Tenor Saxophone – Mekanisi Modero
Trumpet – Kabasele Kaber, Ntumba Mwamba
Congas –
Longi Makesa
- published: 30 Nov 2015
- views: 112