Grand Zaïko Wawa - Sonya



(3:02)

Kester Emeneya, Victoria - Surmenage



(8:05)

This live of Grand Zaïko was recorded before Surmenage was recorded and released.

I dont really follow Grand Zaiko Wawa. I know there was a moment that Bongo Wende joined them for a moment after leaving Viva La Musica in 1981 before rejoining Viva La Musica again in 1982 after the split which led to Emeneya, Bipoli and co's departure, to join them in 1984 when Bipoli, Safro and co left to form Victoria Principal and leaving Emeneya alone with his Victoria Eleison.

Maybe that they recorded a version with Bongo Wende or it could be that they interpreted his solo. Because Bongo Wende used to play that sebens already in concerts of Viva La Musica. Congolese bands sometimes plays sebenes who are left by solists in their band. Before that Bongo Wende rejoined Viva La Musica in 1982, he was working for Air Zaire for a moment as mechanic, since that Pepe Felly Manuaku decided to fire the whole band (except Nzenze and Shekedan). Felix wanted musicains who could copy Zaiko Langa Langa. I remember Lidjo Kwempa talking about that in an interview, being still dissapointed about it, feeling like Felix Manuaku saw him as a faux musician.

I see. So I guess the copy of Zaïko was: Djo Nickel (Nyoka Longo), Shimita (Lengi Lenga), Djo Poster (Bimi, i think), Defao (Likinga).

Defao was lucky to join Grand Zaiko Wawa, because when they came to Inkisi a town right next to Kisantu (you have just to pass the Inkisi-river), fans presented Pepe Felly Manuaku. But Pepe Felly wasn't interested because his voice wasn't a copy of anyone from the 4 quartet (Nyoka Longo, Bimi, Lengi Lenga & Likinga). So after it they went back and then I think the  fans were surprised when Manuaku didn't recruit Defao and started to talk alot about, because he was back then one of the best musician in Bas-Zaire. So after that Manuaku finally decided to recruit and the press of Kinshasa was also present and wrote in the newspapers "Pepe Felly Manuaku recruit a musician in Kisantu", which was a mistake because the town was Inkisi. From that day the town also adopted the name Kisantu.