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From: Africa > Congo/DRC (Zaire)

Genres: Rumba (Congolese)

Kekele

In 2001, Kekele was formed by a group of veteran Congolese musicians, including guitarist Syran Mbenza and vocalists Wutu Mayi and Nyboma from the successful Quatre Etoiles, and also singers Bumba Massa and Loko Massengo. They came together to get back to the roots spirit of the great and influential Congo sound. Using hand percussion and acoustic guitars, no synthersizers or electronics beyond an electric bass, and composing new songs in the old style, Kékélé certainly pricked up ears with their debut release, Rumba Conga.

The band's true promise emerged later, in 2003, with their more confident and well-realized follow-up Congo Life, one of the most satisfying Congolese music releases in many years. Each singing star composes and showcases, with the others filling out rich harmonies. The new compositions stand up well, but each album also nods to the past, the first with a medley of songs by Joseph Kabasele (The Grand Kalle) and the second with a medley of Franco hits. Kékélé offers a brilliant realization of an idea the world has been crying for: just because young Africans are thrilling to the the machine driven, hip hop-tinged sounds coming out of today's Kinshasa, doesn't mean we have to bury the sweetness of the old rumba forever. Congo music is big enough for both! And Kékélé are the proof.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre of Afropop.org

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Kekele

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Indicates Most Popular Song

	Title	Length	Sample
	Mace	5:15
	Tokobuka Mikuwa	4:57
	Tapale	4:18
	Ponton La Belle	5:23
	Ba Kristo	7:30
	Fungola Motema	4:57
	Yo Odeconer	5:09
	Yoka Biso	4:38
	Oh Miguel	5:23
	Tubela	5:02
	Cherie Sandra	5:29
	Consequence	5:21
	Buy all songs of this album

All songs just $0.99 each!
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Indicates Most Popular Song

	Title	Length	Sample
	Delali	4:55
	Lolita	4:29
	Issake Shango	5:16
	Affaire Mokuwa	5:06
	Bebe Yaourt	5:01
	Nakobala Te	5:04
	Mandoyi	5:28
	Lili	5:20
	Souveniers-OK-Jazz	11:28
	Oyebi Bien	4:45
	Silence	5:11
	Buy all songs of this album

All songs just $0.99 each!
Listen to sound samples by clicking on
Click here for help with audio samples.

Indicates Most Popular Song

	Title	Length	Sample
	Mbote Ya Pamba	4:18
	Dido	4:24
	Mandze Mandze	4:06
	Baninga	4:12
	Elembetele Lala	4:25
	Massamour	4:13
	Pinzoli Ya Africa	4:31
	Kubola	4:16
	Patenge	4:25
	Gina	2:50
	Kaka Ngai	3:38
	Success Ya Grand Kalle	8:43
	Otage Ya Bolingo	5:13
	Likambo	3:39
	Buy all songs of this album