Digging 4 Gold

Today, I present to you the Congolese sounds of Orchestre Bella Bella, one of the most popular Congolese groups of the 1960s and 70s.

Congolese music is arguably the most popular form of African music in the world.  A result, among other things, of the mighty radio station, Radio Brazzaville, set up by the American troops during WWII to spread anti-Nazi propaganda.   In-between chopping down Hitler, the station would play Congolese records for all of Africa to hear. 

Interestingly enough, it was Afro-Cuban records brought over by sailors and marines during the 1940’ and 50s that initially influenced Congolese popular music.  This led to the advent of the Congolese rumba, an Africanized variation on the Cuban rumba, which itself was a product of the African rhythms (predominantly Congolese) played in Cuba and surrounding Islands by African descendants.  Essentially, a 360-degree influence occurred and revolutionized the world over. 

This pattern can be seen time and time again, particularly in Ghana with Jamaicans soldiers reintroducing, so to speak, the westernized African bell-pattern of Mento in the late 1800’s that ultimately aided to the birth of highlife music.  In both instances, the Africans recognized the Africanisms in each sound and it wasn’t too long before they reclaimed it. 

All that said, I didn’t collect too many Congolese records.  The few that I did, I know very little about, but something tell some I’ll one day venture over there to better familiarize myself. 

Orchestre Bella Bella 7 inch single