Zing Zong

Zing Zong
Studio album by
Kanda Bongo Man
Released1991
GenreSoukous
Length45:33
LabelHannibal
Kanda Bongo Man chronology
Isambe Monie
(1990) 		Zing Zong
(1991) 		Sango
(1992)

Zing Zong is an album by the Congolese musician Kanda Bongo Man, released in 1991.[1][2] The album is dedicated to the memory of Soki Vangu and his brother Soki Dianzenza (also known as Emile and Maxime Soki), who were in the earlier Zairean soukous band Orchestre Bella Bella.[3][4] Both brothers died within a year of each other. "Freres Soki" is a tribute to them, and "Zing-Zong" is a reworking of a Bella Bella hit, "Houleux Houleux".[5] Kanda supported the album with a North American tour.[6]

Production

The album was produced by Kanda Bongo Man.[7] Nene Tchakou played guitar.[8] Kanda Bongo Man sang in Lingala and French.[9] "Yesu Christu" is a tribute to Jesus Christ.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Los Angeles Daily News[12]

The Washington Post called the album "a seamless, recurring weave of effervescent guitars, light, undulating rhythms and Kanda's sweet soul vocals."[13] The Boston Herald wrote that "Kanda adds a slinky horn section to the traditional Zairean rhumba with its galloping drums, rippling guitar interplay and call-and-response singing."[14] The Los Angeles Daily News determined that "the musicianship is still high, but the endlessly repeating beat becomes tedious."[12]

Track listing

  1. "Zing-Zong" – 4:55
  2. "Isambe" – 5:52
  3. "Mosali" – 4:52
  4. "Wallow" – 5:01
  5. "Monie" – 4:48
  6. "Yonde Love Me" – 4:45
  7. "Yesu Christu" – 5:14
  8. "Freres Soki" – 4:50
  9. "Kadhi" – 5:17

All compositions by Kanda Bongo Man except "Zing Zong" by Soki Vangu and Kanda Bongo Man. All songs published by RykoMusic Ltd.

Personnel

  • Kanda Bongo Man: lead vocals
  • Nene Tchakou: lead guitar on 1,2,3,6,7,8
  • Dally: lead guitar on 4,5,9
  • Mimi Kazidonna: rhythm guitar
  • Komba Bellow: drums
  • Modero: saxophone on 1,3
  • Kaber Kabasele: trumpet & percussion on 1,3,6
  • Backing vocals: Odette & Kanda Bongo Man on 4,7; Jena Mandako on 1,3,6

All songs arranged and produced by Kanda Bongo Man. Recorded at Studio Caroline, Paris. Engineers: Jacky Reggan & Jerome.

References

  1. ^ Point, Michael (12 Sep 1991). "Renowned guitarists offer a world of music". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 13.
  2. ^ Seaman, Jacobs Odongo (23 Feb 2022). "Nene Tchakou: The ultimate Soukous melody parrot". Daily Monitor. Kampala.
  3. ^ "Kanda Bongo Man Biography by Craig Harris". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ "How Kanda Bongo Man charmed his way into hearts". The Citizen. Dar es Salaam. 23 Dec 2019.
  5. ^ Catlin, Roger (September 26, 1991). "Kanda Bongo Brings Zaire Music Here". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 4.
  6. ^ Eichenberger, Bill (June 25, 1992). "Grab your dancing shoes". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Zing Zong by Kanda Bongo Man". Billboard. 103 (32): 66. Aug 10, 1991.
  8. ^ Eyre, Banning (Feb 1996). "Super Soukous". Guitar Player. 30 (2): 75.
  9. ^ Eng, Monica (August 23, 1991). "Bongo Man, Mouth Music get their dance tunes ready". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 27.
  10. ^ "Kanda Bongo Man, king of Congolese soukous, royally commands Symphony Space". New York Amsterdam News. No. 42. 9 Oct 2008. p. 23.
  11. ^ "Zing Zong Review by Bob Tarte". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b Shuster, Fred (October 11, 1991). "Sound Check". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L42.
  13. ^ Joyce, Mike (20 Sep 1991). "Pulsating Rhythms Heartbeat of Zaire". The Washington Post. p. N16.
  14. ^ Convey, Kevin R. (September 27, 1991). "Discs". Boston Herald. p. S11.