Music And Arts Scene
BOPOL MANSIAMINA: 'Manuela' (SYLLART 83011). 'Manuela' Controleur/Choisi' 'Bameli Pena' 'Bonjour Le Soleil'.
Gently going on guitar work reminiscent of Earl Klugh the arrangement in Manuela' quickly changes into the usual Zairean mid- tempo preparation. The guitar cum humming solo associated with George Benson makes a typical Zairean sound more of a classic. You will wonder happily whether this is going to be a new trend. What a perfect thought and innovation to an African rhythm!'Controleur' follows the same pattern but begins with a short but poignant guitar solo which comes to the fore from time to time. The track will remind you of Manu Dibango's 'Qui Est Fou De Qui', a tune which still features on the playlist of many Francophones. The vocal intervention towards the end saves you from getting bored by an unchanging guitar persistence.
'Choisi' is an old Zairean tune, but how can two things be the same? The introductory guitar sounds Ghanaian but does not last long enough. The lyrical approach is particularly delightful "I know that the truth sometimes hurts but you must choose between him or me for I hate hypocrisy". It is a difficult choice but I would choose the music, especially for a party. By Zairean standards, the positive points in 'Bameli Pena' are the guitar, the horns and the repetitive vocal slogan half way through, but don't forget the vocal delivery.
What sounds like funk permeate 'Bonjour Le Soleil' which is yet another eulogy for 'African No.1 Radio Station' (the external service of Radio Gabon). It is a track for happy mood but lacks the full blast of 'Manuela'.
LES AMBASSADEURS INTERNATIONAUX: 'Djougouya' (CEL- LULOID CL 6635). Djougouya' 'Wassolon-Fôli'/'Bara Wililé' 'Mandjougoulon'.
A piece of alto sax solo opens what sounds like African reggae in 'Djougouya'. The singers play their part well and don't let you down at all. The organ solo, though soft, adds smoothness to the class of the track. The instrumentalists of this group will convince you of their mastery which is undisputable on this album. Don't forget the guitarist can remind you of Carlos Santana if you are dreaming.Real African music starts with the congas in 'Wassolon-Fôli'. This track is distinctive for its African percussion - a factor which makes African music unfathomable to non-Africans. The organ relaxes you especially when you are on the floor. The horn arrangement finishes off the track with a level of mastery which will make you wonder. But it is Les Ambassdeurs.
'Bara Wililé' is another African reggae experimentation. The organ solo throws more compelling rhythm on to the music which will sustain your ears throughout.
Mandjougoulon' closes tight the album on you with a typical Malian found well brought into perspective by the horns section and the rather soft organ touch. As usual, Kante Manfila is aped in the guitar solo without necessarily losing originality.
This album of four tracks is a must for your collection if you care for good 'foreign' music.
