Nippon Banzai

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Nippon Banzai
Studio album by
Zaïko Langa Langa
Released1986
GenreCongolese rumba
Length32:55
LabelProZal
Zaïko Langa Langa chronology
Pusa Kuna… Serrez ! Serrez !
(1986) 		Nippon Banzai
(1986) 		Papa Omar
(1987)
Singles from Nippon Banzai
  1. ""Muvaro" / "Sandra Lina""
    Released: 1988

Nippon Banzai is a 1986 album by Congolese band Zaïko Langa Langa, released on their ProZal label. The album followed the group's groundbreaking tour of Japan in October 1986,[1] marking a milestone as the second Congolese musical ensemble to perform there, after Papa Wemba, an early member of Zaïko Langa Langa, and his band Viva La Musica's tour in May of the same year.

This album is widely regarded as Zaïko Langa Langa's greatest artistic and commercial success, propelling them to wider international renown (zones including Europe and the West Indies) and impacting Congolese discography in general. The tracklist represents an average setlist from the band's Japanese tour.

Background[edit]

In October 1986, Zaïko Langa Langa embarked on a tour of Japan, becoming only the second group from Zaire to do so (after Papa Wemba & Viva La Musica in May of the same year). Performing at prestigious venues in Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo,[1] the group received a warm welcome from the Japanese public. Additionally, Papa Wemba and Zaïko Langa Langa's tours in Japan inspired a group of Japanese musicians to form Yoka Choc, performing Congolese rumba.[2][3]

Concept and recording[edit]

The concept for Nippon Banzai originated from Jossart N’Yoka Longo, the band leader of Zaïko Langa Langa.[4] Inspired by their successful tour in Japan, N’Yoka proposed the idea of creating a medley album (cutting songs short to aim an international audience[5]) that would feature the setlist of the tour, a blend of their classic hits from the late seventies, such as "Sentiment Awa," "Kin Kiesse," and "Sangela," alongside newer material from the eighties like "Muvaro," "Liwa Yo Moyibi," and "SVP Mbey." Initially met with skepticism from other band members, the concept eventually garnered acceptance, and recording for the album took place after the tour concluded in late 1986.[6]

Cover[edit]

The flag of Japan is slightly modified on the album cover (the red circle appears sliced).

The album cover of "Nippon Banzai" is revered as one of the most iconic in African and Congolese music. Designed by Joss Bokken and Jacques Duquesne,[7] the cover appears to draw inspiration from the Japanese flag. It features the band members, depicted from left to right: Jossart N’Yoka Longo, Bimi Ombale, Dindo Yogo, and Lengi Lenga.[8]

Commercial performance and impact[edit]

Upon its release, Nippon Banzai swiftly gained widespread acclaim and commercial success, transcending geographical boundaries to resonate with audiences across Africa, the West Indies, Europe, and notably, Japan. The album sold over 100,000 copies, firmly establishing Zaïko Langa Langa as an international musical force. While it narrowly missed certification as gold in France,[9] the album faced challenges from pirated versions that proliferated in the market. It also played a pivotal role in popularizing Congolese rumba globally, with the genre often referred to as "du Zaïko" in some African regions.[10]

The medley format highlighted in the album became a hallmark of Congolese music, inspiring subsequent releases such as Franco Luambo's "Animation Non Stop" (1987), Tabu Ley Rochereau's "Soum Djoum/Afrisa de L’an 2000" (1989), and Wenge Musica's "Wenge Live" (1989), among others. Prior to "Nippon Banzai", Zaïko Langa Langa had experimented with medleys, releasing albums like "La Tout Neige, Christine, Nalali Mpongui" (1983)[11] and later "Jetez l’éponge" (1989).

TF1 performance[edit]

Despite rejections of previous albums due to mixing and mastering rules, Zaïko Langa Langa's submission of Nippon Banzai to TF1 in 1987 was finally accepted. The band appeared on Christophe Dechavanne's show Ciel, mon Mardi, where they performed "Sentiment Awa", "Sandra Lina" and "Muvaro", making it the first appearance of a Congolese group on TF1.

In popular culture[edit]

The songs "Muvaro" and "Sandra Lina" were featured in the soundtrack of the 1987 film "La Vie est Belle" starring Papa Wemba, for which they won the Georges Delerue Award for Best Soundtrack/Sound Design at the Flanders-Ghent International Film Festival.[12] "Toyambana" is also heard in a scene in the film.

Track listing[edit]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sentiment Awa"N'Yoka Longo3:27
2."Sandra Lina"Bimi Ombale2:31
3."Muvaro"Nsumbu Lengi Lenga2:37
4."Liwa Yo Moyibi"Dindo Yogo2:34
5."Toyambana"Oncle Bapius3:03
6."Sangela"Meridjo Belobi2:29
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Kin Kiesse"Mbuta Matima2:38
2."Masela"Matima3:05
3."Antalia"Likinga Redo3:32
4."SVP Mbey"N'Yoka Longo2:03
5."Fonsi"Enoch Zamuangana2:02
6."Kamango"Nsumbu Lengi Lenga3:08

CD version (1988)[edit]

CD version
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sentiment Awa"N'Yoka Longo3:27
2."Sandra Lina"Bimi Ombale2:31
3."Muvaro"Nsumbu Lengi Lenga2:37
4."Liwa Yo Moyibi"Dindo Yogo2:34
5."Toyambana"Oncle Bapius3:03
6."Sangela"Meridjo Belobi2:29
7."Kin Kiesse"Mbuta Matima2:38
8."Masela"Matima3:05
9."Antalia"Likinga Redo3:32
10."SVP Mbey"N'Yoka Longo2:03
11."Fonsi"Enoch Zamuangana2:02
12."Kamango"Nsumbu Lengi Lenga3:08
13."Nibe"Bimi Ombale8:06
14."Lisumu"Zamuangana7:26
15."Kevalina"JP Buse7:26
16."Moyen Te"Beniko Popolipo7:26

Note: Last 4 tracks are taken from 1987 LP “Subissez les Conséquences”.

Personnel[edit]

  • Jossart N'Yoka Longo – vocals
  • Bimi Ombale – vocals
  • Lengi Lenga – vocals
  • JP Buse – vocals
  • Dindo Yogo – vocals
  • Nono Monzuluku – animation, shaker
  • Bébé Atalaku – animation, shaker
  • Mbuta Matima – guitar, artistic direction
  • Enoch Zamuangana – guitar
  • Petit Poisson – guitar
  • Jimmy Yaba – guitar
  • Beniko Popolipo – guitar
  • Oncle Bapius – bass guitar
  • José Piano-Piano – synthesizer
  • Meridjo Belobi – drums
  • Bakunde Ilo Pablo – drums
  • Djerba Mandjeku – congas

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Stewart, Gary (2020-05-05). Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos. Verso Books. ISBN 978-1-78960-911-0.
  2. ^ Lambertz, Peter (2017-12-29). Seekers and Things: Spiritual Movements and Aesthetic Difference in Kinshasa. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-1-78533-670-6.
  3. ^ Messager (2012-04-14). "YOKA CHOC ou la musique congolaise made in Japan". MBOKAMOSIKA (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. ^ Jossart N'yoka Longo - Interview USA avec Clovis Dimulu (2019). Retrieved 2024-04-25 – via www.youtube.com.
  5. ^ Africa Now. Pan-African Publishers. 1987.
  6. ^ af416. "PARCOURS DE L'ARTISTE JP-BUSE ( 1985 - Present)". JP-BUSE (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Nippon Banzai back cover
  8. ^ Nippon Banzai album cover
  9. ^ "Profile of Mfumu Vata". congovibes.com. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  10. ^ Jimmy Yaba interview, CONGOMOKILI:"Jimmy Yaba" au bord des larmes révèle les secrets horrible sur Zaiko. Retrieved 2024-04-25 – via www.youtube.com.
  11. ^ Jossart Nyoka Longo, Zaïko Langa Langa Nkolo Mboka (1983). "La Tout Neige, Christine, Nalali-Mpongui". Discogs. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Official Competition". Film Fest Gent. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
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