Pépé Kallé & l'Empire Bakuba – Adieu Docteur Nico (1986) (24/44 Vinyl Rip)

Since I first heard Soukous bands in Paris in the 80s, I'm infected. So I was very happy when I came across a few of these records lately. But unluckily if a Congolese or Nigerian record has not been severely mistreated, it can't be a good one. They are mostly full of dust, scratches, dirt, even candle wax and, please believe me, chewing gum. I tried many tricks to clean and repair them, with brushes, alcohol, finger nails, and finally even a sewing needle, and against my habits I used automatic click repair for this rip. Apart from a few minor pops the sound is excellent now, and this will be the best rip until we find a better one. The music is just too magic to be missed. Enjoy!

Biography form Allmusic:
Led by the top Zairean vocalist Pepe Kalle (b. Kabasele Yampanya, 1951, Kinshasa, Zaire), Empire Bakuba was one of the leading ‘punk soukous’ bands popular in Kinshasa during the 80s, playing a stripped-down, high-energy version of the music of longer established bands led by Franco and Rochereau. Kalle, nicknamed The Elephant Of Zaire, was an imposing front man, having come through a strong musical apprenticeship that began in 1968 with membership of African Jazz. In 1970 he established African Choc with Pay-Tex and Dilu. He subsequently changed the name of the band to Empire Bakuba. By the late 80s they had become possibly the most popular of all Zairean groups, establishing their fine blend of rumba across the continent. They also adapted to the latest dance crazes with ease, circumnavigating the Essombi, Oh Nager and Kwassa Kwassa dances without losing their own sound. By the 90s their regional popularity enabled them to embark on a series of international engagements in Europe, Japan and the USA.

Tracks
1. Peri Mayel 05:15
2. Tout près de toi 05:00
3. Essakola ya mawa 04:55
4. Adieu Docteur Nico 04:56
5. Muambu 05:17
6. Égalité au tombeau 05:01
Total time: 30:22

Musicians
Matolu Dode Papytex: chant (1,2)
Dilu Dilumona: chant (3,6)
Pépé Kallé: chant (4,5)
Solo Sita: chant harmonie
Ebuya Doris: guitare solo
Kinanga Boeing 737: guitare solo
Elvis Mitumitu: guitare rythmique
Milandu M.P. Cherie: basse
Abro: batterie
Rido Bayonne: percussions, synthésiteur, guitare