Here is a interesting mixture of Calypso and Soukous guitar. It's very rare to hear Ethiopian music with a sebene. Not many know this but a lot of Ethiopians enjoy Congolese music cause of the instrumentation. A lot of Horners actually are fond of Koffi Olomide.
During the 80's, it was difficult for solo artists to branch out due to the big band era (Clan Zaiko, Afrisa, OK Jazz, etc).
However, due to Soukous and Zouk Chirè blowing up, a young Kanda along with virtuoso Diblo (real name -- Yacomba) pops up. There's an interesting story behind Kanda's first LP "Iyole" (1981). Diblo states, it wasn't supposed to be uptempo from the start but start as a rumba. The person who came up with the idea to make it fast was producer, Ouattara Mamouni, owner of Afro Rythmes label (big in the 80s and 90s). Diblo said that Mr. Mamouni cut the slow part because others of the Afro diaspora couldn't understand Lingala and the dancing part (sebene) was really thrills people. The rest is history. However, one should know that neither Kanda nor Aurlus are the first to produce Soukous. Another interesting fact is Fally Ipupa is related to Kanda and sound somewhat, similar.
Mboottte ladies and gentlemen . Let's discuss the history of Rumba/Soukous and how it influence the Afro diaspora of today. We'll also discuss the introduction of Ndombolo, Congolese migration of East & West Africa, guitarists who changed the game, etc.
When people hear of Rumba, they identify it with Cuban-Son but Son is just one of the many variants of this interesting genre.
In 1946, a young Wendo who was a self taught mechanic and boxer formed the band "Victoria Bakolo Miziki -- fusing traditional Congolese folklore with tibits of Cuban Son. From returning from a fight, he joins up with a Greek business who signs him to then Leopoldville (Kinshasa) label-Ngoma. This lead to the recording of the timeless classic "Marie Louise" in 1948.
Some say, this was the....first recorded song to have a "sebene". Henri Bowane is credited as guitarist. The song "Marie Louise" is said to rise the dead from the cemetery. Due to Radio Congolia, this was a big hit in West Africa.
This form of Rumba known as "Rumba Sukuma". The other Latin tinctured Rumba is called Rumba Fiesta -- will later go into this.
Note that the name "Victoria" still to prove democracies on the Nazis, where Brazzaville plays an eminent role: virtual capital of the "Free France", it hosts in 1944 the "African-French Conference" where a speech by the General de Gaulle shyly lays the foundations of emancipation. De Gaulle, aware that he owes everything to the radio, hastens to give considerable resources to the transmitter of Brazzaville, which becomes the most powerful of the continent.
There was another pioneer that goes by the name of Elenga Zakari aka Jhimmy Le Hawaiean. He hails from Bangui, Central African Republic. He comes to Leopoldville (Kinshasa) in 1946 in where he meets with the Ngoma's label musicians such as Papa Wendo, Henri Bowane, Manuel D'olivera, Paul Mwanga and Adou Elenga. Around this time, singers are accompanied by two guitarists and percussionist. He revamped Congolese music by adding guitar solos into the mix of a complete band including 1 rhythm guitar, 1 solo guitar, 1 double bass, 1 saxophonists, singers and percussionist. He is responsible for training both Tino Barosa and Charles "Dechaud" Mwamba (http://www.congopage.com/Le-duo-memorable-Jhimmy-na-Mwanga).
Adou Elenga
Maria Tebbo "original" later reprise by Sam Mangwana "Le Pigeon Voyageur"
Paul Mwanga
Paul Mwanga is considered as one of the precursors of Modern Congolese music. He hails from Angola. He updated the traditional Maringa and fused with the Highlife of West Afrca, Polka Pike, etc (http://www.congopage.com/Le-duo-memorable-Jhimmy-na-Mwanga).
Part 2 will be addressing the introduction of Grand Kalle & African Jazz, Docteur Nico, Dechaud, etc. Stay tuned!
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. Let's discuss the history of Rumba/Soukous and how it influence the Afro diaspora of today. We'll also discuss the introduction of Ndombolo, Congolese migration of East & West Africa, guitarists who changed the game, etc. 
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