In 1987, at the height of the kwasa-kwasa wave, Empire Bakuba, led by Pépé Kallé, Papy Tex and Dilu Dilumona, released one of their most iconic albums, Bakuba Show. Released by Syllart Records, the first side is entirely taken up by a delicious mix of rumba and soukous, alternating breaks, guitar choruses, Kallé’s incantations taken up by backing vocals, and choruses sung by everyone on the dance floor. The second side is more traditional, but offers three top-class tracks that demonstrate Empire Bakuba’s savoir-faire, and ends with the excellent Naponi Ngoluke. The other key to the album’s success is undoubtedly its cover, with inspired cover art by Kazi. A proud young female warrior rides a cheetah, pursued by Emoro – the dancing dwarf – armed with a spear, and laughing! And this drawing, which welcomed me to the Congo at the time, still fascinates me just as much today.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for 2023 (and possibly even a little more), so that you can achieve as much as possible, and with music!
