congolese rumba (democratic republic of congo or zaire)

the democratic republic of congo - otherwise known as zaire
where muhammad ali and george foreman had their rumble in the jungle
as documented in the excellent film titled when we were kings
which basically taught me everything i know about this country
so not much really except that it has been ruled for a long time
by another brutal african dictator by the name of mobutu
i was surprised to read about congolese rumba
something that seems more likely to come out of las vegas
than a landlocked and presumably very poor african country
but that's the amazing thing about music really
it seems to travel very well and take root in the oddest of places
here's what songlines had to say about this style
the classic rumba sound of the 60's, 70's and 80's congolese big bands
was a combination of multiple interwoven guitars
sumptuous vocal harmonies
and soul revue style horn sections
the current rumba revival recreates the wonderful atmosphere
epitomised by franco's ok jazz, tabu ley rochereau and le grand kalle
they recommended an album called congo life by kekele
there's also a photo of these 4 chaps dressed to the nines
in matching dinner suits
as in the following video
check out the white dude on the bass guitar
a fine bit of role reversal happening there
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