Verckys et L’Orchestre Vv – Congolese Funk, Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978

Description

Congo’s turbulent and exhilarating ’70s: Nightclubs and dancefloorswere packed to the brim in the capital, Kinshasa. Exuberant crowds, still giddy from independence a decade prior, grooved to the soundsof the country`s classics. In fact the whole continent was submergedinto the Congolese Rumba craze.

Encouraged by the fantastic productions of the Ngoma label, vibrant radiowaves had been spreading the Congo sound from Leopoldville all over thecontinent, becoming the countries’ No.1 export. The unexpected successnurtured an incredible wealth of talented musicians. One of them was Verckys,who, at age 18, became a member of the countrys most dominant and influentialband; Francos OK Jazz.

This “relationship” however was short-lived as Verckys, aka Georges Mateta Kiamuangana, now a versatile and potent multi-instrumentalist, had plans of hisown – the formation of Orchestre Vv in 1968, with the aim of reinventing andmodernising the Congolese sound. Blending the ever influential prowess of JamesBrown with Congolese Merengue, Rumba and Soukous, Verckys stripped away theconventional approach that O.K. Jazz had pioneered, allowing his saxophone-lacedmelodies to dominate.

Around 1970 a new important area began with the foundation of the label “lesEditions Vv” on which Verckys would release his own productions. A studio wasbuilt and Verckys started recording young urban artists, with guitar-driven Cavachasounds; Les Freres Soki, Bella Bella, Orchestre Kiam and many more shot tostardom overnight, making Verckys a very wealthy man.

But that wasn’t enough for an ambitious man with a vision. He built a sprawlingentertainment complex called Vv Centre, and dispatched a team to learn theintricacies of record pressing to set up the first pressing plant in the country. Thiswas followed by the construction of the Congo’s most modern recording studio inKinshasa, in which he recorded the legendary Tabu Lay Rochereau.

Orchestre Vv’s popularity poured across borders and in 1974 the band travelledto Kenya for a 2 month tour. “Bassala Hot”, “Cheka Sana” and “Talali Talala” weresome of the tracks recorded in Nairobi for the Kenyan market, songs which are nowavailable to the ears of the world for the very first time.

Analog Africa has now the privilege to present 11 tracks by Verckys et L’Orchestre Vvat the height of their most funky capabilities. Compiled over the course of many yearsin a land of hardship, we welcome you to the grooviest era of the Congo with adouble LP release accompanied by in-depth liner notes and vintage photographs.

Tracklist:

1. Bassala Hot

2. Ya Nini

3. Cheka Sana

4. Oui Verckys

5. Nakobala Yo Denise

6. Sex Veve

7. Sisa Motema

8. Talali Talala

9. Zonga Vonvon

10. Nakomi Paralise

11. Matinda Comono