Twenty Four Seben - A.J. Holmes Soukous Mix by A.J. Holmes published on 2016-03-16T12:10:43Z If you'd like to see the track list it's here: http://ghettobassquake.com/kanda-bongo-man-in-london This is a twenty four minute journey from the Kavasha music of 1970’s Kinshasa to the Soukous music of 1980’s and 90’s Western cities. It’s a mixtape of some of my favourite Sebens* in Congolese popular music from the early 1970’s to the 1990’s to celebrate that Palm City Social: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236141043126978/ have been invited to DJ at the Kanda Bongo Man, London gig, 1st April: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-night-with-kanda-bongo-man-tickets-21302011891 *Seben is the - largely instrumental - dance sections in congolese popular music, where the pace tends to speed up and the focus is shifted away from the vocalists and on to the lead guitarist. This is the second and final session of the composition where the vocalists chant; calling out and performing dances. This chanting is referred to as ‘animations’ I’m sure that connoisseurs of Congolese music would be affronted by me selecting just the Seben from these classic recordings, turning my back on the honey sweet vocals, with their glorious three or four part harmonies. However I’m interested in hearing what they sound like abstracted from the wider context of the composition as a whole. Weather they become ‘monotonous’ as BARIKI NGOWO would suggest in his post ‘SHORT HISTORY OF CONGOLESE MUSIC’ http://kavashagrouptz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/short-history-of-congolese-music-by.html where he argues that a criticism made within Africa of ‘Star’ African musicians - like Kanda Bongo Man - that are based in ‘Western’ cities; “is the lack of variety within the numbers” (compositions) and this is because “There is too much emphasis on the solo guitar and chanting (animations). This contrasts with the 1970's when all instruments and vocals were given prominence and/or acknowledged”. He also goes on to suggested that this maybe the result of the composers living in the ‘West’ and there for tailoring their music to suit ‘Western tastes’ and expectations. BARIKI NGOWO could have a point here in the later suggestion, however I wouldn't agree that the result is ‘monotonous’ but then to be fair I probably do have 'western taste'... So here we go…I’ve made one more naive step - backwards, forwards, or sideways - into the seeming Western obsession with the brilliant sound of the Conglese Sebens..and these ones still sounds pretty BANGING to me! Genre Soukous Comment by Florantin Tchinda Mohamed la mort de la guitare 2020-07-18T00:29:27Z Comment by MTHURA fantastic 2019-09-27T20:15:30Z Comment by Simon Tom very very nice 2019-06-26T17:17:13Z Comment by fakegxost what is the first song?? 2016-11-19T20:06:25Z Comment by spoombung amazing! 2016-05-13T15:48:37Z Comment by Canalh ça c'est puissant ! 2016-04-03T13:59:14Z Comment by dj everybody happening thats it! 2016-03-23T20:02:04Z Comment by Free&Legal just great! 2016-03-23T16:47:51Z Comment by MAGA BO soooo good! on repeat! 2016-03-21T16:00:37Z Comment by Uncle Barnie Wow ... this is beautiful. Gracias!! 2016-03-20T07:33:51Z Comment by Kinky Electric Noise Great collection of tunes!!! 2016-03-18T16:30:56Z Comment by Dj_iET excellent!!!!@ 2016-03-18T15:00:39Z Comment by Tash LC Tracklist please!! 2016-03-18T14:09:03Z Comment by M A M B I S A this mix is brightening my morning! gracias! 2016-03-18T13:33:17Z Comment by Tom Perceval boom! 2016-03-18T13:15:24Z Comment by Akwaaba Music Soto... One of my all time favorites! 2016-03-18T09:46:52Z