The Soul of Congo – Treasures of the Ngoma label (1948-1963), 3 Lp set, 36 page booklet.
Planet Ilunga, the Brussels-based publisher has, since 2013, produced a series of recordings dedicated to the history of Congolese popular music from artists like Franco & OK Jazz, Docteur Nico, Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo and Joseph Kabasele & African Jazz. For its tenth release and in celebration of its tenth anniversary, the label launches with “The Soul of Congo” its most ambitious project to date: a well-documented and extensive anthology (on 3LP) about the illustrious and legendary Congolese music label Ngoma.

The Soul of Congo is a compilation that spans the years from 1948 to 1963 as the Belgian Congo emerged from colonial subjugation into the first flower of Independence. Singers and players came to Congo’s capital Léopoldville, from all over Central Africa — from the streets of Brazzaville on the opposite shore of the Congo river to the vast plateau of Mbanza Congo in Angola, from the mineral rich areas of Lubumbashi (Elizabethville) in the Deep South to the lively docks of Kisangani (Stanleyville) in the northeast, from the rocky wastes of Mbandaka (Coquilhatville) in the West to the majestic forests of Bukavu (Costermansville) in the East.

Léopoldville became a cauldron of musical syncretism between the African rhythms that arrived with these musicians and the European, Caribbean and Cuban tunes that were popular in the big city. The new sounds were recorded for one of the big five Congo labels: Opika, Loningisa, Esengo, Olympia or Ngoma. None of the other Congolese labels better showcased the energy, variety & spirit of this era than the Ngoma label. The label was founded by the Greek Nicolas Jéronimidis in 1948. After his early death in 1951, it was further developed by Nikis Cavvadias and Alexandros Jéronimidis. During its existence, from 1948 until 1971, Ngoma made over 4500 recordings, creating a crucial cultural legacy. Now with Unesco declaring Congolese Rumba as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity as of December 2021, it is fitting they are restored to the ears of the world.

There are 69 songs on the 3CD set and 42 on the 3LP set. Two of the LPs are distilled from the 3CD set, while the third “bonus” LP” has a different selection of songs by Léon Bukasa and others. While this is unusual, we felt there was so much great material, the vinyl collectors would enjoy an extra album of out-takes from the shortlist that was originally over four hours in length.

A1. G. Edouard na M. Oliveira na baninga na bango – Marie Tchebo (3:32)
A2. Adou Elenga, ndeko na ye Mousaidi Louis na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Mokili Ekobaluka (2:58)
A3. Mundanda Antoine, baninga ba ye na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Mwana Aboyi Mama (3:07)
A4. Raphael Kabangu – Pete na Mosapi (3:09)
A5. Trio BOW na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Kombo wa Biso Biteke Suzanne (3:10)
A6. Trio BOW na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Voyage ya Bana Ngoma (3:09)
A7. Wendo accompagné de Georges Edouard et le Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Ekekeke (3:03)
B1. Bukasa Léon, Kalombo Albino na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Bonne Année (Lingala) (3:04)
B2. Martha Badibala, Caroline Mpia na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Ba Mbanda Basuani (3:08)
B3. M. Oliveira, H. Freitas, G. Edouard – E, Primo ya Wondelela (3:02)
B4. Léon Bukasa – Monique wa Baba (3:04)
B5. Kalombo Albino accompagné par Bukasa Léon – Bertha Roho Mbaya (3:07)
B6. Adou Elenga – Minakwenda Mbele (3:00)
B7. Léon Bukasa – Kobeta Mwasi Te (2:53)
C1. San Salvador – Umbanzilanga Mumayela (2:57)
C2. Kalombo Albino accompagné par l’orchestre Beguen Band – Kamungule (2:57)
C3. Trio BOW Bukasa-Oliveira-Wendo – Anna Yaya (2:57)
C4. Khim Valentino et l’orch. Dynamic Jazz – Sebele (2:57)
C5. Tchadé accompagné par l’orchestre Beguen Band – Mono Kwame ya Nzola (2:51)
C6. M. Oliveira & H. Freitas accompagné par l’orchestre Beguen Band – Mobembo ya Cocq (2:56)
C7. San Salvador – G. Edouard, M. Oliveira, H. Freitas & Bila accompagné par l’orchestre Beguen Band – Tuwayilanga Kimpwanza (2:57)
D1. Groupe de Flutistes Bayeke Lulua Jazz – Fulukayi, Tshisuisa (2:57)
D2. Charles Lembe & son orchestre – Suavecito Mambo (2:55)
D3. Le bassiste Lasso et l’orchestre Vedette Jazz – Pregunta por Nos (2:50)
D4. Mwanga Paul Le Maître Compositeur de la Chanson Kikongo (with Jazz Venus) – Putulukesu Zengele Ndombe (2:57)
D5. Mwanga Paul Le Maître Compositeur de la Chanson Kikongo (with Jazz Venus) – Ma Bulu Mankatu Lutima (2:56)
D6. L’orchestre La Palma – Yo Keba na Ngai (2:59)
D7. Maproco et l’orchestre Vedette Jazz – Maproco Cantar (2:45)
E1. Georges Edward na Manuel Oliveira na baninga na bango – Bino Banso Yoka Tokoyemba (3:13)
E2. Luampasi Albert mpangi zandi ye Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – O Mono Mpuku (2:59)
E3. Bukasa Léon, Kalombo Albino na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Bonne Année (Bunanée) (3:05)
E4. Kabangu Raphaël na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Ba Mbanda 3:01)
E5. Léon Bukasa na baninga ba ye – Josephine, Josephine (3:12)
E6. Kaba Joseph, J. D. Malapet, Ed. Ganga na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Vivita-Vivita (3:08)
E7. Léon Bukasa na baninga ba ye – Boni Bokomi Kobanga Biso? (3:09)
D1. Mwanga Paul accompagné par les orchestres Beguen Band & Affeinta Jazz – Yoka Mwanga (2:50)
D2. Le chanteur Yanno et l’orchestre Novelty – Keleno Bala Ntsia, ba Dia ba Mpesse (2:53)
D3. La Beguen Band – Henya (3:02)
D4. Adou Elenga na Groupe Rythmique Ngoma – Watoto wa Migini Yote (2:59)
D5. Léon Bukasa na balunda bende – Bukasa Wakatshimuna (3:03)
D6. Léon Bukasa na balunda bende – Bana Betu Telejayi (2:57)
D7. Trio BOW Bukasa-Oliveira-Wendo – Nani Azali na Mayi (2:57)