Tabu Ley - "Babeti Soukous"

In my quest to flush out African musical heritage from every aspect, I picked up Tabu Ley's 1989 release at Amoeba Records and paid attention to a music well composed by way of its rhythmical sense. An excellent vibe.

Meanwhile, I will always appreciate Steve Ntwiga Mugiri whose site inspired me to pick interest in Soukous and Rumba music, driving me to the extent of being a scholar in that category. That guy has a whole lot going on when it comes to music and it's out there at his site for everyone to see.

I have listened attentively to Ley's "Babeti Soukous" which was recorded live at New World Studios in England on January 30, 1989, and following the trend in understanding the beats, I couldn't but conclude that Ley mastered his art and left a legacy in the world of Soukous music.

Born in 1940 in Zaire of the Bayanzi tribe, he kicked off his career as a teenager joining Joseph Kabasele's African Jazz Band and parting ways with Kabasele and guitarist Dr. Nico years later, he regrouped and formed his own band called African Fiesta National Band releasing the classic "Africa Mokili Mobimba."

However, the tracks selected from this album was a mixture of Zairean and East African popular music with "snatches" of rock, R&B and jazzy tunes for over 20 years earning him series of honorary awards and political appointments in his native country.

There are 13 tracks in this very album and besides the introduction/presentation, the music is great. "Mosolo," meaning money and "Linga Ngai" meaning love me in Zairean language is a classic refined in Zaire, back in the day. Brilliant stuff and listen to it!