Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Samba's BIG news in Tanzania!
http://www.mwanaspoti.co.tz/wcreadnews.php?id=9451
| Mapangala bado ajivunia A/Mashariki | ||
LICHA ya kupiga hatua kubwa barani Ulaya anakoishi, mwimbaji, Samba Omar Mapangala, bado anayo mapenzi makubwa kwa Afrika Mashariki. Hii ndiyo sababu ya yeye kurudi kurekodi nyimbo zake au kutunga vibao kusifia mandhari ya eneo hilo. Kibao chake cha juzi cha �Zanzibar�, ni uthibitisho tosha kwamba Mapangala hayupo tayari kuisahau kanda hiyo kwa vyovyote. Wimbo huo ulipigwa picha katika kisiwa cha Zanzibar akimshirikisha mwimbaji mkongwe, Bi. Kidude na msanii wa Kenya, Mike Awilo, wa kikundi cha Jamnazi Afrika. Zanzibar, Tanzania na Kenya ni sehemu ambazo nimekulia, hivyo basi ni vigumu kwangu kuzisahau kwa urahisi,� anasema mwimbaji huyo. Wimbo huo wa Zanzibar aliurekodi mwezi Septemba katika mataifa tofauti ya Afrika Mashariki. Tayari kibao hicho kimeanza kutamba. Wimbo huo utaorodheshwa kwenye albamu ya Maisha Matamu anayotazamia kuizindua mapema mwakani atapofika jijini Nairobi kwa shughuli hiyo. Kwenye wimbo Zanzibar, ninasimulia uzuri wa watu wa eneo hilo ambao ni wakarimu mno. Nilionyeshwa ukarimu wao mara ya mwisho nilipoenda huko kufanya shoo ya mwisho katika tamasha la Sauti za Busara mnamo 2009, alisema Mapangala alipohojiwa na Mwanaspoti jijini Nairobi hivi karibuni. Mapangala ndiye aliyetunga vibao maarufu vya zamani kama vile �Vunja Mifupa�, �Karibu Kenya�, �Ujumbe� na �Nyama Choma�. Kwa muda wa miaka 13, msanii huyu amekuwa akiishi Marekani anakoandaa shoo zake katika majimbo mbalimbali. Kwenye wimbo Maisha Matamu ambao pia utabeba jina la albamu mpya, msanii huyo anaangazia kuhusu namna maisha yalivyo mafupi japo kuna mambo mengi mazuri. Akizungumzia bendi yake ya zamani ya Orchestra Virunga ambayo ilivunjika mwaka 1993, Mapangala anasema ataifufua hivi karibuni. Tangu kuvunjwa bendi hiyo, amekuwa akiwategemea wasanii wa kukodi, jambo analosema sasa linakaribia kufika ukingoni. Kenya kuna wasanii mahiri mno, hivyo nikiwa Nairobi nitaandaa mipango kuhusu namna nitakavyoweza kuifufua bendi,alisema akizungumzia Virunga iliyotamba miaka ya 1980 na 1990. Miaka miwili iliyopita, Mapangala, alinukuliwa kwenye vyombo vya habari akisema anatarajia kurudi Kenya kuendeleza maisha yake, anasemaje kuhusu hilo Ni kweli, ninajiandaa kurejea nchini kikamilifu. Hata hivyo, sijaamua ni lini iwe hivyo. Kwa sasa ni kwamba niko mguu mmoja Nairobi, mwingine Marekani, kuna mambo kadhaa ninayolenga kutimiza kule pia,� alisema Mapangala. Miongoni mwa hayo ni mipango yake ya kuuvumisha mtindo wa rhumba katika mataifa ya Magharibi, ili uwe maarufu kama ilivyokuwa Afrika Mashariki miaka 1980. Mapangala mwenye umri wa miaka 55, anasema awali mtindo huo ulivumishwa Ulaya na mapromota kadhaa akiwamo Oluoch Kanindo aliyevisaidia vikundi kama vile Shirati Jazz na Kolele Maze kutambuliwa huko. Umaarufu wa Mapangala ulimwezesha kuteuliwa kuwa Balozi wa Heri Njema wa Kituo cha World Wildlife Fund (WWF) kinachojishughulisha na hifadhi ya mazingira, misitu na wanyama waliomo hasa sokwe mtu. Tayari ametoa kibao cha Les Gorilles des Montagnes kinachoelezea umuhimu wa kuwalinda sokwe katika misitu ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasi ya Congo na sehemu nyinginezo barani Afrika. Alikuwa miongoni mwa wasanii waliompigia debe Rais Barack Obama katika kampeni za Marekani za mwaka 2008. Aliimba �Obama Ubarikiwe�. Kibao hicho pia kilipendwa mno hapa nchini. Mapangala alizaliwa katika Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasi ya Congo mwaka 1956 na alikulia huko alikoanzia pia shughuli za muziki. Aliimbia bendi mbalimbali zikiwamo Bariza, Super Tukina, Super Bella Bella na Saka Saka. Mwaka 1975 alihamia Kampala, Uganda kwa mwaka mmoja kabla ya kuja Nairobi alikoanzisha bendi ya Orchestra Virunga mwaka 1981. MWISHO. | ||
Friday, November 18, 2011
Warm souvenirs from Stone Town
ABOVE: The Busara crew celebrates the grand finale of the festival on stage following Virunga's monumental closing performance. BELOW: Samba in full flight, accompanied by backup vocalist Teddy Sukami.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Video of the Week: Zanzibar by East African Star Samba Mapangala
The Zanzibar video is getting great response! I sent out a press release last week and the YouTube view count jumped by 2500 in a couple of days, and it's still climbing. This posting by World Music Central should give the view count another quantum leap! The great camerawork by Adam Juma in Zanzibar and Patrick Ondiek in Nairobi, plus Andy Jones' kind donation of the Sauti za Busara footage of Bi Kidude, Samba and Awillo's patience and great good nature while filming, and Sam Epstein's skill in editing and resolving various technical issues, all contributed to the final, stunning results. Thanks to World Music Central for the coverage, and everyone else who has featured, shared, posted, and watched this great clip!
Video of the Week: Zanzibar by East African Star Samba Mapangala
Zanzibar is the second video from Samba Mapangala‘s latest album Maisha Ni Matamu (Life Is Sweet). Filmed in Zanzibar and Nairobi, the videoclip presents scenes of the island’s many charms: the mysterious alleys and bustling markets of Stone Town, the gorgeous beaches and quaint dhows of the Indian Ocean, colorful people and sensuous dancers. At the same time, it pays tribute to the venerable Zanzibari icon Bi Kidude and the annual Sauti za Busara music festival.
Alongside Samba’s sweet soaring voice, “Zanzibar” features a guest vocal by Awillo Mike of Kenya’s Ja-mnazi Afrika band, and a Congolese guitar solo by Zaiko Langa Langa’s Beniko Popolipo.
Samba Mapangala was born Congolese but it was in Kenya where Samba’s career took off. With Samba writing and singing songs in Congolese Lingala and Kenyan KiSwahili, his Orchestra Virunga rapidly became the top band in Nairobi.
Video of the Week: Zanzibar by East African Star Samba Mapangala
Zanzibar is the second video from Samba Mapangala‘s latest album Maisha Ni Matamu (Life Is Sweet). Filmed in Zanzibar and Nairobi, the videoclip presents scenes of the island’s many charms: the mysterious alleys and bustling markets of Stone Town, the gorgeous beaches and quaint dhows of the Indian Ocean, colorful people and sensuous dancers. At the same time, it pays tribute to the venerable Zanzibari icon Bi Kidude and the annual Sauti za Busara music festival.
Alongside Samba’s sweet soaring voice, “Zanzibar” features a guest vocal by Awillo Mike of Kenya’s Ja-mnazi Afrika band, and a Congolese guitar solo by Zaiko Langa Langa’s Beniko Popolipo.
Samba Mapangala was born Congolese but it was in Kenya where Samba’s career took off. With Samba writing and singing songs in Congolese Lingala and Kenyan KiSwahili, his Orchestra Virunga rapidly became the top band in Nairobi.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Brilliant write-up from Robert Ambrose's Rhythm Connection
Asante sana, Roberto!
Rhythm Connection
Longtime favorite singer Samba Mapangala recently unleashed a killer new album with a fortified Orchestra Virunga. Maisha Ni Matamu (Life is Sweet) covers broad sonic territory, including reggae and other Caribbean influences, but the bedrock Congolese rumbas are, and have been for decades, the band's foundation. Mapangala's Congo roots are enhanced on this release with crucial contributions from guitarists Popolipo, Syran Mbenza, and Huit Kilos, and Komba Bello Mafwala on drums.
The opening title track is straightforward soukous that will fill any dance floor, while the acoustic "Tupendane" is at the other end of the spectrum, a gently swinging, acoustic appeal for harmony among people everywhere. "Tupendane" features John Bashengazi, a musician from the Eastern Congo who plays all of the instruments and sings along with Samba. Other songs range from celebrations to exhortations to care for the environment and each other. "Tupende Miti (Let's Plant Trees)" offers its wisdom in multiple languages, giving a tribute to Wangari Maatai, the Kenyan Nobel Prize winner responsible for widespread reforestation in her country and beyond.
Mapangala has been based in the U.S. for years, but he built his career in Kenya after leaving the Congo. Doug Paterson has a good biography and appreciation here. His many recordings always feature wonderful guitar and his emblematic singing. While this record captures the veteran in good form and the production sounds first-rate, there are no nine-minute rumba classics comparable to those that kept Mapangala at the peak of popularity in East Africa for decades. He is more worldly now, and so is his music, and that is a mixed blessing for this listener.
I was going to post an audio snippet of "Maisha Ni Matamu," but found this fun video that has the whole song, with the gentleman trying to keep up with the young women, on the cold streets of NY. I thought: Enjoy!
Rhythm Connection
Longtime favorite singer Samba Mapangala recently unleashed a killer new album with a fortified Orchestra Virunga. Maisha Ni Matamu (Life is Sweet) covers broad sonic territory, including reggae and other Caribbean influences, but the bedrock Congolese rumbas are, and have been for decades, the band's foundation. Mapangala's Congo roots are enhanced on this release with crucial contributions from guitarists Popolipo, Syran Mbenza, and Huit Kilos, and Komba Bello Mafwala on drums.
Mapangala has been based in the U.S. for years, but he built his career in Kenya after leaving the Congo. Doug Paterson has a good biography and appreciation here. His many recordings always feature wonderful guitar and his emblematic singing. While this record captures the veteran in good form and the production sounds first-rate, there are no nine-minute rumba classics comparable to those that kept Mapangala at the peak of popularity in East Africa for decades. He is more worldly now, and so is his music, and that is a mixed blessing for this listener.
P.S. I've decided to start including reviews of new releases on this site, reviving in this format my earlier activity with The Beat magazine. I'll sprinkle them among the sharing posts, looking a bit different; I hope you find them useful. Maisha Ni Matamu (Life is Sweet) can be purchased for download at CDBaby, Amazon and iTunes, if a low bit rate is okay for your ears. Full-bandwidth CDs can be found here.
Monday, August 22, 2011
WRIR-FM's Bill Lupoletti reviews Maisha for his Global A Go Go site
http://www.globalagogo.com/2011/06/samba-mapangala-orchestra-virunga.html
Maryland-based Samba Mapangala is held in the highest regard by fans and musicians as one of the classic singers of soukous, the guitar-driven dance music that swept from the Congo to East Africa in the 70s and across the world in the 80s. Mapangala has been keeping the flame burning with frequent international tours (he played at the Richmond Folk Festival in 2009) and a series of independently-released recordings. He attracts some of the top players in the business -- guitarists Beniko Popolipo (Zaiko Langa Langa), Huit Kilos (Afrisa International) and Syran Mbenza (Quatre Etoiles) contribute solos and mi-solos; singers Wuta Mayi (Kekele), Ballou Canta (Soukous Stars) and Suzanna Owiyo (a major Kenyan star) add vocals. This is an excellent addition to the catalog of a man whose recorded output is consistently strong. The high-energy numbers here are 1 and 4, 2 and 5 are mid-tempo rumba congolaise, 6 is acoustic and 3 is reggae-influenced. Soukous certainly isn’t the flavor of the week in African music, but for the literally millions of worldwide fans of this music, Samba Mapangala delivers the goods as always.
Maryland-based Samba Mapangala is held in the highest regard by fans and musicians as one of the classic singers of soukous, the guitar-driven dance music that swept from the Congo to East Africa in the 70s and across the world in the 80s. Mapangala has been keeping the flame burning with frequent international tours (he played at the Richmond Folk Festival in 2009) and a series of independently-released recordings. He attracts some of the top players in the business -- guitarists Beniko Popolipo (Zaiko Langa Langa), Huit Kilos (Afrisa International) and Syran Mbenza (Quatre Etoiles) contribute solos and mi-solos; singers Wuta Mayi (Kekele), Ballou Canta (Soukous Stars) and Suzanna Owiyo (a major Kenyan star) add vocals. This is an excellent addition to the catalog of a man whose recorded output is consistently strong. The high-energy numbers here are 1 and 4, 2 and 5 are mid-tempo rumba congolaise, 6 is acoustic and 3 is reggae-influenced. Soukous certainly isn’t the flavor of the week in African music, but for the literally millions of worldwide fans of this music, Samba Mapangala delivers the goods as always.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Samba takes his place among the legends of Congolese rumba
Wow! Samba in good company: Radio Milele FM Nairobi billboard campaign showing classic rumba greats with Samba at far left, along with Tabu Ley, Mbilia Bel, Kanda Bongo Man, Tshala Muana, Franco. Photo by John Nyambu
Friday, July 15, 2011
Rave review for Maisha ni Matamu by World Music Central
One of world music's most prominent online magazines had this to say about Samba's new album: written by Tom Orr. Yes, it's sweet, Tom and so are you! Thank you!
worldmusiccentral.org
Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga Maisha Ni Matamu (Life Is Sweet) (Virunga Records VR003, 2011)
Still supple, spine tingling and, yes, sweet after 30 years on the scene, the voice of East African sensation Samba Mapangala is in fine form on his latest album. And he’s still the master of combining Congolese, Kenyan and Tanzanian rumba with the similarly chiming rhythms of Kenyan benga, resulting in one irresistible dance music. He dubbed it the Virunga sound and it was a sensation at Nairobi’s Starlight Club in the early ‘80s before Mapangala brought it to the world. Now he and his Orchestra Virunga- which on this recording includes such legendary participants as guitarists Syran Mbenza and Huit Kilos, vocalist Wuta Mayi and drummer/animateur Komba Bellow Mafwala -return with a set of new songs for maximum dancing and listening pleasure.
The title track will instantly have you believing its sentiments to be true, “Zanzibar” pays melodic tribute to nonagenarian singing legend Bi Kidude, “Jirani” celebrates neighborliness in a reggae-laced style (and gets reprised as an instrumental at the end) and “Nipigie Simu” sports a lively Latin feel complete with montuno piano pattern.
The need to protect the environment and its wildlife is addressed on “Tupande Miti” (with guest voices Suzanna Owiyo and Ballou Canta) and “Les Gorilles Des Montagnes” respectively, and the soothing, harmonica-laced “Tupendane (Let’s Love Each Other)” is as much a showcase for multi-instrumentalist and singer John Bashengezi as for Mapangala’s tenderly shared lead vocal.
Maisha Ni Matamu delightfully provides the sort of sweetness that won’t harm your teeth or put pounds around your middle but fulfills your need for music to move you each and every day of your life.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads: CDBaby.com
worldmusiccentral.org
How Sweet It Is
– July 15, 2011Posted in: CD Reviews
Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga - Maisha Ni Matamu
Still supple, spine tingling and, yes, sweet after 30 years on the scene, the voice of East African sensation Samba Mapangala is in fine form on his latest album. And he’s still the master of combining Congolese, Kenyan and Tanzanian rumba with the similarly chiming rhythms of Kenyan benga, resulting in one irresistible dance music. He dubbed it the Virunga sound and it was a sensation at Nairobi’s Starlight Club in the early ‘80s before Mapangala brought it to the world. Now he and his Orchestra Virunga- which on this recording includes such legendary participants as guitarists Syran Mbenza and Huit Kilos, vocalist Wuta Mayi and drummer/animateur Komba Bellow Mafwala -return with a set of new songs for maximum dancing and listening pleasure.
The title track will instantly have you believing its sentiments to be true, “Zanzibar” pays melodic tribute to nonagenarian singing legend Bi Kidude, “Jirani” celebrates neighborliness in a reggae-laced style (and gets reprised as an instrumental at the end) and “Nipigie Simu” sports a lively Latin feel complete with montuno piano pattern.
The need to protect the environment and its wildlife is addressed on “Tupande Miti” (with guest voices Suzanna Owiyo and Ballou Canta) and “Les Gorilles Des Montagnes” respectively, and the soothing, harmonica-laced “Tupendane (Let’s Love Each Other)” is as much a showcase for multi-instrumentalist and singer John Bashengezi as for Mapangala’s tenderly shared lead vocal.
Maisha Ni Matamu delightfully provides the sort of sweetness that won’t harm your teeth or put pounds around your middle but fulfills your need for music to move you each and every day of your life.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads: CDBaby.com
Monday, June 20, 2011
Maisha Ni Matamu video featured by Afropop Worldwide
The Official Blog of Afropop Worldwide: Life Is Sweet, NYPD Doesn't Understand
Banning Eyre and Sean Barlow, the directors of Afropop Worldwide know very well what life is like in NYC: the streets are tough but life can be sweet. Thanks guys, for getting the word out about Samba's new song, just right for summer in the big city! Dancers are Grace Haukwa, Eto'o, and Mambo. As for the cops, we're still waiting for our subpoenas.
Banning Eyre and Sean Barlow, the directors of Afropop Worldwide know very well what life is like in NYC: the streets are tough but life can be sweet. Thanks guys, for getting the word out about Samba's new song, just right for summer in the big city! Dancers are Grace Haukwa, Eto'o, and Mambo. As for the cops, we're still waiting for our subpoenas.
Tambour d'Afrique: MAISHA NI MATAMU TUPENDANE WITH SAMBA MAPANGALA FR...
Tambour d'Afrique: MAISHA NI MATAMU TUPENDANE WITH SAMBA MAPANGALA FR...: "LE PALMARES DE LA RUMBA CONGOLAISE VOUS PRESENTE SAMBA MAPANGALA ET L'ORCHESTRE VIRUNGA DANS SON NOUVEL ALBUM: MAISHA NI MATAMU Watch live..."
Fantastic interview with Guy Angrand. Merci mingi Guy!
Fantastic interview with Guy Angrand. Merci mingi Guy!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Samba's new "Zanzibar" song introduced on stage at Sauti za Busara
Busara festival director Yusuf Mahmoud got the crowd dancing at this year's Sauti za Busara as he introduced the song Samba has just released all about his experience headlining the 2009 program, during which the legendary Bi Kidude joined him on stage.Thanks to Matthew Morin and Shino Saito for sharing this clip with us.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Samba Mapangala in Zanzibar | Mambo Magazine
Samba Mapangala in Zanzibar | Mambo Magazine
yes, we made it back to Zanzibar! read all about it in this story by Amanda Lichtenstein. I will be catching up on the postings just as soon as time allows....
photo by Amanda Lichtenstein, courtesy of Mambo Magazine
yes, we made it back to Zanzibar! read all about it in this story by Amanda Lichtenstein. I will be catching up on the postings just as soon as time allows....
photo by Amanda Lichtenstein, courtesy of Mambo Magazine
Saturday, February 26, 2011
We're on our way, Nairobi!
I've been asked by many people right and left if Samba is going to perform while we are in town. The anticipation and desire to experience his music live is very very gratifying! However, this trip is primarily for publicity and promotion of the forthcoming album, Maisha ni Matamu, and to shoot more videos for music clips of the new songs. We will be making arrangements for concerts and tours later this year, as we intend to return in the fall to support the new album: so hang tight, folks! We want to make sure you will have Samba at his very best, performing in well-produced, well-organized shows. Stay tuned, and watch the Facebook fan page for news and current updates: http://facebook.com/sambamapangala
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
LIFE IS SWEET: NEW MUSIC FROM SAMBA MAPANGALA
LIFE IS SWEET: NEW MUSIC FROM SAMBA MAPANGALA
FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE NOW FROM CD BABY.COM!
Samba Mapangala, East Africa’s most beloved singer, offers an advance taste of a new studio album to be released in Spring 2011: Maisha Ni Matamu. The joyous title track, aimed squarely at East Africa’s dance floors, bears the message: Life is sweet, but short. Let’s have some fun – Come dance with me!
The lush rumba “Zanzibar” is a souvenir from Samba’s voyage to that beautiful island to appear at the Sauti za Busara festival, where he encountered the venerable Tanzanian legend Bi Kidude in Stone Town. The mighty Orchestra Virunga is joined here by guest vocalist Awillo Mike Otieno of Kenya’s Ja-mnazi Afrika band, and Zaiko Langa Langa guitarist Beniko Popolipo, who contributes sizzling guitar solos on both songs.
The first two tracks from the forthcoming album are released as a digital-only advance EP, available on CD Baby and distributed on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster and elsewhere. "Maisha Ni Matamu" is also available as a free download for a limited time on CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mapangala7), and streaming on ReverbNation. http://www.reverbnation.com/sambamapangala The video clip for "Maisha Ni Matamu," filmed in the heart of New York City, features the Nabtry Cultural Dancers and a surprise guest appearance by the NYPD. It was directed by Sam Epstein and Bob Coen, camera by Samantha Conti. Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5ylLYjc98
Samba will launch the new songs and make media appearances in Kenya and Tanzania during an East African publicity tour in March. The full album will be released worldwide by Virunga Records, supported by tours of East Africa, Europe and North America. Further developments to be announced on the Facebook fan page and ReverbNation.
LINKS
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mapangala7
http://facebook.com/sambamapangala
http://www.reverbnation.com/sambamapangala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5ylLYjc98
Recording information
1. MAISHA NI MATAMU (Life Is Sweet) 5:22
Guitar solo Beniko Popolipo
Guitar rhythm Syran Mbenza
Bass John Bashengezi
Drums Komba Bellow Mafwala
Percussion Alfredo Mojica
Keyboard Fabio
Vocals Samba Mapangala, Jonal Buya di Lutete, Wuta Mayi
Animation John Bashengezi, Komba Bellow Mafwala
(Special thanks to Siama Matunguzidi)
2. ZANZIBAR 5:32
Guitar solo Beniko Popolipo
Guitar rhythm John Bashengezi
Bass John Bashengezi
Drums Komba Bellow Mafwala
Percussion Alfredo Mojica
Saxophone Jimmy Mvondo
Vocals Samba Mapangala, Awillo Mike Otieno
Animation John Bashengezi
All compositions by Samba Mapangala
Recorded at Ketebul Studio, Nairobi; Art of Music, Arlington VA; Master Sun, Paris
Realization by Syran Mbenza
Art Direction: Saki Mafundikwa
Photo credit: CC Smith
Maisha Ni Matamu video clip directed by Bob Coen / Sam Epstein
Produced by Samba Mapangala
Executive Producer CC Smith
Virunga Management: CC Smith, virungamgmt@gmail.com
Booking: Mel Puljic, MondoMundo.com (U.S.); Dirk Feys, Tsahara.com (Europe)
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