Ramadhani ‘Remmy’ Mtoro Ongala was an African guitarist,
singer, songwriter, & bandleader known as the ‘Doctor’. He was born in 1947
in Kindu, North Eastern Zaire. He performed in bands from the age of sixteen,
learning his craft from his father, who was a well-respected, traditional
musician. In 1978 Remmy travelled to Dar
es Salaam, Tanzania
where he joined Orchestra Super Makassy. Later he formed his own band, Orchestre
Super Matimila (named after the local businessman who bought & owned the
band’s instruments).
He had a majestic stage presence & his distinct voice, rich & soulful,
soared above the lilting rhythms of the Orchestre Super Matimila. The rolling
melodic drive of Zairean soukous is undeniable, but there is also the influence
of traditional Tanzanian rhythms with plenty of snippets of latin & soul. His
music was known as 'ubongo beat'. In Swahili 'ubongo' means brain. His lyrics
gave his listeners much to think about.
He died at his home in Dar es Salaam after suffering kidney failure on December 13th, 2010.
This first release
is from Remmy’s home-made two-track recording with its rough but
understated sound.
Remmy Ongala & Orchestre SuperMatimila - Nalilia Mwana, Womad Records 010, 1988.
decryption code in comments
Side A –
Nalilia Mwana
Sika ya Kufa
Tembea Ujionee
Side B -
Ndumila Kuwili
Mnyonge Hana Haki
Arusi ya Mwanza
Also in 1988, a Kenyan bootleg of material called On Stage
With Remmy Ongala (the record sides are labeled ‘Dance with Remmy Ongala On
Stage’) became available internationally. This included a version of one of
Ongala’s most popular songs, “Kifo” (Death).Ndumila Kuwili
Mnyonge Hana Haki
Arusi ya Mwanza
Remmy Ongala – Dance with Remmy Ongala OnStage, Ahadi AHD LP 6007, 1988.
decryption code in comments
Side 1 -
Sauti ya Mnyonge
Asili ya Muziki
Maisha
Asili ya Muziki
Maisha
Side 2 -
Kifo
Mama Mzazi
Narudi Nyumbani
Kifo
Mama Mzazi
Narudi Nyumbani
This is a cassette release from the following year. This was
a fertile time for Remmy, some of his greatest music.
Ahadi AHD (MC) 6009,
1989.
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Side A -
Nasikitika
Hakuna Matapeli
Chaguo Lako
Side B -
Nani Ambembeleze Mwenziwe
Tumetoka Mbali
Carola
East Africa's
distinctive taarab music (taarab meaning ‘to be moved’) is unique to the
Swahili coast, which extends from Kenya
down to Mozambique.
But the music & culture's true homeland is the island
of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania.
Taraab's best-known practitioners are the elegantly accomplished members of the
great Culture Musical Club.
Taraab has its roots in Egypt, in the Cairo wedding bands with their classical
Arabic repertoire. The instrumentation reflects this: ouds; khanouns; & dumbeks
take places alongside bass, accordion, & violins. The music is dramatic
& orchestral, like its Arabic inspiration, but sung in Swahili which gives
it a thoroughly African twist.
Also like its Arabic
counterpart, taarab is still performed at weddings. Culture Musical Club (known
as Mila na Utamaduni in Swahili) is a true social club that still plays local
weddings, as well as international festivals. The band gathers regularly at its
clubhouse in Stone Town
to rehearse & socialize. Although not the oldest taarab ensemble on Zanzibar (that honor goes
to Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club, founded in 1905), Culture Musical Club has been
an ongoing concern for decades, replacing members as needed & becoming a
multigenerational outfit in the process.
Culture Musical Club
began life as part of the youth organization of the Afro-Shirazi Party during Zanzibar's struggle for
independence back in 1956. Today, Culture Musical Club is not only the largest,
but also one of the most prolific, successful orchestras of Zanzibar. In addition to innumerable
performances in Stone Town, villages of Zanzibar,
& on the Tanzania
mainland, this group has toured internationally with outstanding success. They
have developed a distinct uniquely Swahili style.
Culture Musical Club -Shime!, World
Village,
2009.
decryption code in comments
Tracklist -
Yangu Haikuhusu
Ni Yeye
Sina Haja Ya Pendo Lako
Nuru
Rejea Tena Chuoni
Muziki Ni Kazi Yetu
Kama Yalivyonipata
Kidumbaki, Part I: Babu
/ Naumwa
Kidumbaki, Part 2:
Tuheshimu Wazazi / Mama wa Kambo / Kwa Heri Nakuaga
Bonus for all my loyal traveling companions. Taj Mahal is an
musical adventurer with refined taste. The veteran American bluesman has long
been fascinated by African styles. He has explored the links with the blues
through his recordings with Toumani Diabate or live collaborations with
Tinariwen. On this release he has moved from Mali
to Zanzibar, to
team up with the island's best-known orchestra, Culture Musical Club. It is as
a reminder that there is great music in eastern Africa
as well.
CMC are a world (or at least half a world) removed from
Taj's robust blues trio. So to get comfortable with each other, the two
cautiously explore each other's music, with the Club providing atmospheric
bursts of gently wailing violins & Taj playing suitably Arabic-edged banjo
on their sturdy songs. Then the two come together through the magick of musick.
They kick into “Catfish Blues”; the legendary Bikidude, now in her 90s, tackles
“Done Changed My Way of Living”; & they gamely tackle the witty M'Banjo (which
although a Taj Mahal tune, even seems to be named appropriately African). I
think you’ll all enjoy this. The result is much more than musical tourism.
Tradition & Moderne T&M 031, 2006.
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Tracklist –
Dhow Countries
Muhoga Wa Jang’ Ombe
Zanzibar
Catfish Blues
Naahidi Kulienzi
Mkutano
Done Changed My Way of Living
M’Banjo
Mpunga
Enjoy,
NØ
Nalilia Mwana
ReplyDeleteVkdDYX3pUaBqL_0ZO82P1CnNhzVyc4sMaE3i2z5XYh4
On Stage With...
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Shime!
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Mkutano
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Thanks for the Remmy tracks. I have the Real World releases, but these are precious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Remmy's version of the ubongo beat sound is unique & very special.
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