Congolese Funk, Afrobeat & Psychedelic Rumba 1969-1978

Encouraged by the fantastic productions of the Ngoma label, vibrant radio
waves had been spreading the Congo sound from Leopoldville all over the
continent, becoming the countries' No.1 export. The unexpected success
nurtured an incredible wealth of talented musicians. One of them was Verckys,
who, at age 18, became a member of the country´s most dominant and influential
band; Franco’s OK Jazz.

This "relationship" however was short-lived as Verckys, aka Georges Mateta
Kiamuangana, now a versatile and potent multi-instrumentalist, had plans of his
own - the formation of Orchestre Vévé in 1968, with the aim of reinventing and
modernising the Congolese sound. Blending the ever influential prowess of James
Brown with Congolese Merengue, Rumba and Soukous, Verckys stripped away the
conventional approach that O.K. Jazz had pioneered, allowing his saxophone-laced
melodies to dominate.

Around 1970 a new important area began with the foundation of the label "les
Editions Vévé" on which Verckys would release his own productions. A studio was
built and Verckys started recording young urban artists, with guitar-driven Cavacha
sounds; Les Freres Soki, Bella Bella, Orchestre Kiam and many more shot to
stardom overnight, making Verckys a very wealthy man.

But that wasn't enough for an ambitious man with a vision. He built a sprawling
entertainment complex called Vévé Centre, and dispatched a team to learn the
intricacies of record pressing to set up the first pressing plant in the country. This
was followed by the construction of the Congo's most modern recording studio in
Kinshasa, in which he recorded the legendary Tabu Lay Rochereau.

Orchestre Vévé's popularity poured across borders and in 1974 the band travelled
to Kenya for a 2 month tour. "Bassala Hot", "Cheka Sana" and "Talali Talala" were
some of the tracks recorded in Nairobi for the Kenyan market, songs which are now
available to the ears of the world for the very first time.

Analog Africa has now the privilege to present 11 tracks by Verckys et L'Orchestre Vévé
at the height of their most funky capabilities. Compiled over the course of many years
in a land of hardship, we welcome you to the grooviest era of the Congo with a
double LP release accompanied by in-depth liner notes and vintage photographs.