Various Artists - The World Is Shaking - Cubanismo from the Congo, 1954-55 (2009)

Another extraordinary package from the Honest Jon's crew outta Ladbroke Grove, London, this time opening our ears to the historical fusions of Latin American and West African traditional and popular music in the face of worldwide political upheaval and technological advancements. Covering the period 1954-55, this set covers 21 artefacts from a unique point in African musical history, when the native Congolese population was exposed to the sounds of Latin America, imported on 78s by Belgian and French ex-pats, with the results recorded by a number of Greek businessmen with newly installed studios in Kinshasa. The accompanying sleeve notes expand on this tale massively, but in brief this was a time of fervant cross-pollination that lead to the evolution from traditional playing styles into a more disciplined manner that started a golden age of African music. The Congolese musicians heard traces of their own music in the Latin syncopations and picked them out before reinterpreting them in their own style and playing them to the party crowds of The Congo's capital. As to be expected, the presentation is impeccable, with a stunning gatefold sleeve and beautiful liner notes making this a highly desirable package, but more importantly this is a marvellous document of the genesis of a major musical movement and comes unreservedly recommended.

1.01 - Laurent Lomande - Maboka Marie (3:08)
1.02 - Adikwa Depala - Matete Paris (3:05)
1.03 - Adikwa Depala - Akei Cimetiere (3:06)
1.04 - Andre Denis - Cherie N' Aluli Yo (3:03)
1.05 - Vincent Kuli - Yaka Ko Tala (3:00)
1.06 - Jean Mpia - Klim (2:58)
1.07 - Boniface Koufoudila - Ntango N' Abali (2:54)
1.08 - Robert Yuakarie - Musinichkie (2:51)
1.09 - Albert Bongu - Koseke Moniga Te (2:57)
1.10 - Rene Mbu - Boma Limbala (2:58)
1.11 - Adikwa Depala - C.C.T. Ebongisi Mokiri (3:00)
1.12 - Fabien Libasi - Bengela Ngai Bosele (2:56)
1.13 - Laurent Lomande - Elisa (2:54)
1.14 - Adikwa Depala - Moni, Moni Non Dey (3:03)
1.15 - Boniface Koufoudila - Bino Boton, Bosele (3:00)
1.16 - Robert Yuakarie - Kioo Cha Nyumba (3:01)
1.17 - J. P. Ndagu - Mokolo Bafuti Sanza (2:59)
1.18 - Boniface Koufoudila - Tokowela Angelique (2:48)
1.19 - Laurent Lomande - Akimi Magai Na Butu (2:48)
1.20 - Jean Mpia - Tika Koseka (3:00)
1.21 - Adikwa Depala - Yoka Ngal (2:48)