The Soul Of Congo: Treasures Of The Ngoma Label
*2025 stock* Planet Ilunga, the Brussels-based publisher has, since 2013, produced a series of recordings dedicated to the history of Congolese popular music from artists like Franco & OK Jazz, Docteur Nico, Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo and Joseph Kabasele & African Jazz. For its tenth release and in celebration of its tenth anniversary, the label launches with "The Soul of Congo" its most ambitious project to date: a well-documented and extensive anthology about the illustrious and legendary Congoles…
Joseph Kabasele And The Creation of Surboum African Jazz 1960-1963
*2025 stock* Planet Ilunga continues its mission to uncover and highlight the overlooked yet epic achievements in the world of Congolese rumba. This time to tell the most spectacular story of all. This is the story of the creation of Surboum African Jazz, the first Congolese music label founded by a Congolese. Surboum African Jazz was owned and managed by the best singer of all time, Joseph Kabasele, alias Grand Kallé. The label's catalog during the period 1960–63 is largely dominated by Grand K…
La Rumba De Mi Vida
*2025 stock* Incredible collection of classic Congolese music from Planet Ilunga specializing in this particular niche. Glorious guitar melodies, beautiful vocal harmonies, and infectious rumba grooves. Excellent curation and very cool thematic presentation, plus lots of great details given in the liner notes.
African Jazz Invites O.K. Jazz
The evolution of Congolese popular music in the 1960s and 70s is generally classified into two major schools: African Jazz & OK Jazz. The main representatives of those schools are Joseph Kabasele alias Grand Kallé, founder of African Jazz, and Franco Luambo, co-founder of O.K. Jazz. Two temperaments and ambiances, one commonly referred to as ‘fiesta’, the other as ‘odemba’, both seeking their own sublimity or ideal.
For the very first time, a compilation brings together explicitly the main prota…
Discoteca Sudamericana
Les Chakachas 'Disco Sudamericana' has been released by CBS Sugar in 1974 and when originally came out did not receive the attention it deserved. At least not the same of the previous album, a club classic with dancefloor bangers as 'Stories' and 'The Party'. But if we take a deeper look at the album, 'Disco Sudamericana' is much richer in terms of catchy tracks and killer grooves. 'Supe Cat', 'Liza & Brooks' or 'Selling Mango' are just some of the peaks here. It is then amazing to discover tha…
The Alegre All Stars
Born from a studio jam organized by Al Santiago in 1961, the "Alegre All Stars" was inspired by the famous late 50's Cuban jam sessions. Originally published by Alegre Records, a New York City based label specialized in Latin music, this album stands as a legendary release in the field. This is like an open door on a wild Nuyorican party including food, drinks and an ongoing selection of highly infectious Latin grooves to dance to.
"When producer, innovator, and self-described “extrovert of mani…