Les Belgicains Na Tango Ya Covadia 1964-70

Tracklist

A1 Ebuka Ebuka : Mwana Nsama
A2 Afro Negro : Palado, Palado
A3 Carlos Lembe : Gozalo Mulata
A4 Yéyé National : Mathinda
A5 : Ba Bolingo : Flamenco Para Ti
A6 Afro Negro : A La Mode
B1 Los Nickelos : Gancia
B2 Ebuka Ebuka : Ngaï Désholé
B3 Los Nickelos : Kinsuena
B4 Ekebo : Bina Pachanga
B5 Los Nickelos : Echantillon Salukani
B6 Afro Negro : Suena, Suena

Label : Covadia
Year : 2023

Note

The compilation tells the remarkable story of the first Congolese student orchestras in Belgium. During that time Congolese referred to countrymen living in Belgium as ‘Les Belgicains'. The music presented on this compilation blew a new, fresh wind through the musical landscape of Congolese popular music under the supervision of the legendary editor and producer Nikiforos Cavvadias (Ngoma label).
The largest country in Africa is experiencing its early independence. During that period, Belgium invites many Congolese students to take classes at its universities. They are the future executives and ministers of the new republic. Out of a feeling of homesickness for their beautiful country, these students set up music groups. To dance and get carried away by the music the 45 rpm records they brought with them from Congo were too short. That is why they decide to bring live music to the events of the Congolese diaspora. Their own compositions are strongly influenced by their life in Belgium, resulting in a unique sound.
Nikiforos Cavvadias arrives in Belgium around the same time. At that moment he is one of the best-known editors and producers in Congo and he works for the Ngoma label based in Léopoldville. Niki is at the origin of the success of, among others: Léon Bukasa and Wendo Kolosoy... Due to the political instability in Congo, he moved to Belgium with his wife and two children. The student orchestras, like Los Nickelos and Yéyé National, are quickly noticed by Niki, who is looking for young, talented musicians to house under his new label Covadia.