Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo was a Congolese rumba band from Brazzaville of the 1950s. It was a studio band of the Esengo music studio.[1]
It was reconstituted in 1963 under former member Philippe "Rossignol" Lando. This version, which lasted until the 1970s, was a launching pad for young musicians including Bopol, Wuta Mayi, Camille "Checain" Lola, and Henriette Borauzima.[2]
The band often merged with the musicians from the African Jazz band and sometimes produced recordings under the title ""African Rock".[1]
The band name is a pun with the Kongolese word rocamambu "the one who looks for problems". In a Kongolese folk tale, Rocamambu is a kind of prodigal son, who runs from home and comes back rich.[1]
Discography edit
Rock-a-Mambo music appears on the following albums and compilations.[3]
- AFRICAN RETRO vol. 5 Pathé Marconi - EMI 2 C064-15962
- AFRICAN RETRO Vol 6 Pathé Marconi - EMI 2 C064-15978
- AFRICAN MEMORIES Pathé Marconi - EMI 2C062-15136; also C062-15810
EPs edit
- Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo [Columbia ESRF 1460; also ESDF1321]
- Rossignol et l'Orchestre Rock 'A Mambo [Columbia ESRF 1793; also ESDF 1321]
- Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo[ESRF 1415; also ESDF 1343]
- Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 2, ESDF 1372
- Nino et l'Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 3 [Columbia ESDF 1380]
- GROUPES CHOC DES ANNEES 50s ESDF 1372
- CONGO LATINO Columbia ESDF 1401
- ORCHESTRE ROCK-A-MAMBO NO 4 (Columbia ESDF 1403; orig: Esengo)
Singles edit
A large number of singles were recorded by the Esengo studio.[1][3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos By Gary Stewart, Chapter 5: "A Change in Mentality"
- ^ Stewart, Gary (2000). Rumba on the river : a history of the popular music of the two Congos. London: Verso. p. 123. ISBN 1-85984-744-7.
- ^ a b "Rockamambo". Muzikifan.com. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
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