"After the first release on Grand Kalle & l’African Jazz , for Planet Ilunga the quest continues to recover the Congolese music history. With this new compilation we delve into the back catalogue from Esengo, one of the labels that operated in the former Leopoldville in the fifties. In a five-year time span (1957-1961) this publishing company - named after the Lingala word for ‘pleasure’ - released over 400 records, all issued on 78 rpm records. This compilation focuses on the recordings of two of the most important and earliest ensembles of Esengo: Rock-a-Mambo and l’African Jazz. Their recordings were characterized by a very melodic thinking and were often drenched in Afro-American rhythms. It resulted in an unparalleled joie de vivre, lots of pidgin Spanish and extremely danceable tunes.

Please note that several tracks on 'Souvenirs from Esengo' are remastered from the original 78 rpm records pressed in former Leopoldville. These have now been reissued for the very first time. Planet Ilunga collaborated for this release with a few 78 rpm and vinyl collectors."