Wenge BCBG

"Titanic" Simon Music; 1998

8.9/10 (Ultimate Album)

Going back to history of the world the titanic will forever remain a iconic fact to remember, probably the best ship ever made but sadly the ship was short-lived by a tragic accident.  For this case the short-lived "Titanic" will forever remain a classic and a exemplar album. History plays a big part prior this albums release let alone recording and formation of the group. The great "Wenge Musica" came to an end in the closing stages of the 1997 or even the late 20th century. This orchestra/group captivated, influenced and revolutionized african music in a immense style obviously picking up where Victoria Eleison and Viva La Musica left off. Class, Elegance and Entertainment in the music and style they were flamboyant artistically, fashion-wise, commercially and were very entertaining also not forgetting energetic, Alain Makaba's clean soulful lead partitions, Roberto Ekokota's enthusiastic animations and Titina's thundering drumming. This was the ultimate that was complete good at singing dancing, rightly so they became dominant towards 1991 to 1997. A change was needed in music and Wenge Musica split-up just like all other previous congolese groups but sadly this seperation was a calamity, eruption and like the ship "Titanic" a fatal fatal accident. In JB's words "Our father music and our mother Wenge" well Wenge Musica 4x4 BCBG Bana Oyo Baso Pesa Gout Toujours Likolo rest in great peace.

Well here comes the genesis, in the late stages of 1997 very late stages Wenge BCBG is made in Kinshasa and after few-weeks BANG! they arrive in Paris. The important thing about this album is the line-up of the musicians and singers in this group, referring to football they have been many great teams for instance the 70's Dutch, 50's Brazil, 98's France, 2009's Barcelona and 2013's Bayern Munich. Wenge BCBG of 1997/1998 will stand as one of the greatest groups of all-time I mean the line-up of the orchestra:
JB Mpiana - Leader "Mukulu", Blaise Bula - "L'Engineur", Alain Mpela - "Tchakulenda", Aimelia Lias - "Demingongo", Alain Makaba - Maestro "Le Internet", Burkina Faso - "Mboka Liya", Ficarre Mwamba - "Maitre", Fiston Zamuangana - "Savimpi", Patient Kusangila , Titina - "Le Grand Pretre", Seguin Bongongo - "Mignon", Theo Bidens and Tutu Caludji - "Number One". Simply a squad full of immense talent all playing/performing at their peaks just like the German's in the early 70s. Another implement of recognized in this team they were new carbon copy of Viva La Musica (1980s) each member playing similar roles with Viva's team, JB obviously being Papa Wemba, Blaise being a Esperant/Joly Mubiala/a younger version of Kester, Mpela imitating Dindo, Aimelia reflecting Luciana/Petit-Prince, Alain Makaba reflects Bongo Wende/Rigo Stars, Burkina Faso reflects Huit-Kilos, Fiston Zamuangana reflects Ping Pong and lastly Titina reflecting Patcho Star/Richacha. Now if you listen to a group like this your in for a ride and in Titanic you will be tied in for the ride "Titanic" offers.

Artistically speaking the were to influences Jazz and not repeat myself repeatedly Viva although the style of Victoria Eleison was a bit neglected in my opinion. The sound of the album is at high, high, high quality please let me express myself in french "Haut, Haut, Haut Niveau", the sound is way ahead of it's time considering the fact it is released in 1998 technology was at a high but in a fashion of modern day, "Titanic" is HD (1008p) it could be even released in 2008 literally considering the sound quality. Many credits must given to Alain Makaba "Le Internet" and Al Nzimbi for arrangements and mixing too. Now lets have some extracts of the album.



"RDC" a song that refers to congolese traditions, the theme of the song is impressive. I'm assuming Fiston Zamuangana played rhythm guitar and I think he did a great job exchanging different styles of congolese folkore credit to him and Makaba's keyboard partitions was also pleasing. But was important is the influences of the songs blatantly congolese folklore and Viva's energetic "Mukaji Wanyi", it is even sampled on the song in the Luba folkore part and the end of song there is satisfying sebene. out of 10 I think this song a strong 8!!! a beautiful virtuously arranged celebration (song)!



Alain Makaba's "Barakuda", An avant-garde tune by the conductor of the orchestra, resourcefulness at top quality consisting as the tune takes touches of jazz fusion, orchestral, gospel and quite frankly soukous, instruments a played at high order, Makaba's clavinet and organ  are inventive while Mboka Liya's rhythm are melodic, organic and friendly not forgetting Kusangila's subtle bass input, Seguin high-order on congas, Titina as usual thundering and introducing his drum rolling style at the end. BCBG vocally are on par with the instruments, gorgeous inter-changing vocals by Alain Mpela and Aimelia this is a clear flashback of Yogo and Luciana interchanged with each other on Makaba's "Tchane" but Mpela and Aimelia take this to an extreme first Alain on tenor, Aimelia takes over Mpela covers with a masterful baritone effort and that my fellow bloggers is vocals well exhibited (round of applause) nonetheless Tutu Caludji shows his worth especially when Kusangila pulls up the fret board for "Bolobo" call to fully drop (5.42), Caludji tenor attempt cruises with sebene and Caludji goes to a different planet and his skill should not be taken lightly as substitute his a clear starter and carries that sebene attack further like Thomas Muller carries Bayern to get a goal. Enough with the talking this tune is a fully distinguished a BANG! on 10. 



Omba the song JB Mpiana. Massive credit to Pascal Poba for producing the texts of the song. I think that Victoria Eleison was neglected on this album but on this song Victoria gets a tribute and I will explain why. Song introduced with soulful diminished lead partition of Alain Makaba, Now the initial song (first) takes inspiration from Victoria's Kimpiatu by obviously JB singing in a tenor tone (note song was introduced while Wenge Musica was still active). Then again I was impressed with Makaba again because of his passionate approach on lead consistently. I felt JB sang genially. Essential Omba is delightful effort which I will take into account, 7.8/10.



Composition of Alain Mpela "Proces Mambika", starting of with the introduction hats off to Al Nzimbi for producing such digital orchestral strings, this input sounds totally realistic and I'm Al Nzimbi executed this (listen introduction of Blandine), absolutely charming and concrete.
The composition is welcoming and harmonious both exhibited vocally and instrumentally, "Proces" is a re-collective of Viva's streaming "Petite Gina" especially with rhythmic slow start and Papa Wemba's high raised vocals, The choir of Wenge take this into account as they sing in unison and JB Mpiana hits I high notes and Trio Bula, Mpela and Aimelia cover him in a excellent manner. Later the build-up is displayed remarkably totally convincing once again Fiston exchanging two-partitions quickly (Fiston longonia masta). Interchanging vocals ever-present in this album, it is demonstrated in this song again between Blaise Bula calm second voice and Aimelia's hazardous but precious first voice and his vocal is another stand-out in this song before the sebene is shattered. Absolutely explosive Mboka-Liya interacts well with Titina's drumming and he is also shows is virtuoso skill pulling out partition in a way sort of Langa-Langa Stars style Huit-Kilos should be impressed with this but nonetheless Caludji does his job wonderfully and the sebene is enjoyable. Simply music 10!



Similar to his effort on Filandu, "Likala Moto" is highly impressive, good decision made by Blaise to keep this song, It is bright, cheerful and upbeat. The choir of BCBG is also very steady through-out the song, Blaise Bula appealed to with his calm baritone proposal like Esperant and Young King Kester Emeneya. Just when the rhythm gets a shine before the sebene drops I'm instantly on feet so rhythmic and Makaba's soulful moving solo completes the sebene for me. Caludji enlightes the sebene also perfect job done by him so calm and composed impressed me fully but as whole the sebene is the stand-out no disrespect to the rumba but the sebene is just wonderful a bang on 9.

The blood, sweat and tears put into this album pays off quite frankly, this album is well arranged, recorded, mixed, resembled and mastered it's totally a masterpiece and the interesting fact is that the Sebene's took over the Rumbas but it still impressed. Not forgetting the generique, Tour Eiffel, Champion Kapangala, Liberation and Serge Palmi the album is probably one of the best albums released in the 1990s and congolese but surely the best by Wenge BCBG and certainly memorably in Clan-Wenge. The album is stylish, ambitious to some degree, playful, boisterous and energetic. As "Titanic" was short-lived this Squad of 1998 is short-lived but immortal glory to god because he knew that this will be succesful if the Wenge Musica split up and it was. Titanic heavily inspired later albums in congolese music notably Maison Mere's "Force D'Intervation Rapide". This an examplar album of how albums always should not be sophiscated by well assembled and playful. Breathtaking and this deserves a 8.9/10 meaning examplar album. Thank You fellow bloggers hope you enjoy this article/review. 

Good job Newside and can you do a review on Boite Noire and Power Kosa Leka?

Thank you Newside, the album was a success, the recording was of a pure quality, the whole of Africa danced to it. Can you write the same analysis about Force intervention Rapide? Was it a success in Congo? here in Tanzania Force Intervention Rapide was overshadowed by Titanic, Maison Merre came to prominence after the release of Solola Bien which was a huge success.   

Excellent review Newside!! Thanx for this

... Force intervention Rapide? Was it a success in Congo? here in Tanzania Force Intervention Rapide was overshadowed by Titanic, Maison Merre came to prominence after the release of Solola Bien which was a huge success.

It was the same in Zambia, Titanic was playing everywhere but Force Intervention Rapide was mainly playing in mini buses/taxis and at low end bars, I never even heard it in chez ntemba, it was much later that the album started getting popular especially because of the Kalayi Boeing remix.

... Force intervention Rapide? Was it a success in Congo? here in Tanzania Force Intervention Rapide was overshadowed by Titanic, Maison Merre came to prominence after the release of Solola Bien which was a huge success.

It was the same in Zambia, Titanic was playing everywhere but Force Intervention Rapide was mainly playing in mini buses/taxis and at low end bars, I never even heard it in chez ntemba, it was much later that the album started getting popular especially because of the Kalayi Boeing remix.

What about CONGO? I l read somewhere that Chantal Swaziland was voted the best song of the year.

chantal and omba co-won that award

Review, excellent. Titanic was the peak of jb and his team. werrason knew that jb had had KOd him and so to save force de int rapid, solola bien , a classic, had to be unleashed. jb was jb then, not today when he is surrounded by jelly like people.

lol you never miss an opportuinity to hit out at current team
i was talking to  caludji  yesterday when the project of the review started and  he said to me in his whole carreer he never saw musicians working with such a huge level of focus and  motivation,including th and feux de l'amour
they were rarely re-starting things,even when they started losing their voices they found extra energy to continue

lol you never miss an opportuinity to hit out at current team
i was talking to  caludji  yesterday when the project of the review started and  he said to me in his whole carreer he never saw musicians working with such a huge level of focus and  motivation,including th and feux de l'amour
they were rarely re-starting things,even when they started losing their voices they found extra energy to continue

Yes Archos, those were the days, just Imagine Ekokota and later Caludgi  manning the entire atalaku section single handily, creating excellent calls which used to raise people from their feet, those were the days, I wish the current generation like Ferre and Fally could carry over from the Wenge Clan as Wenge took it from Victoria Eleyson. 

Where's Newside. I miss his album-reviews.