Thu Zahina

about

In the late 1960s a new wave swept over Kinshasa's music scene which went on to flood the whole of Africa with the style of guitar music now known as soukous. Between the era of the great orchestras led by Franco and Tabu Ley and the Zaiko Langa Langa generation existed a pivotal group whose influence is legendary, yet whose pioneering work has hardly ever been available outside Zaire. Thu-Zahina were the group responsible for that upsurge, and here are some of their outstanding hits, selected by Gege Yoka Mangaya, stalwart bass player, composer and arranger, who later played guitar with both OK Jazz and Zaiko. Here is the missing link between the classic and the new rumba. This is rumba on the cusp, as the stately big-band style is infiltrated by the raw groove of folk and funk before being overwhelmed by orgiastic solo guitar licks. The sound of the new wave breaking out can be heard clearly in the unleashed wizardry of solo guitarist Roxy Thsampaka, who eventually took his characteristic string play to Zaiko and Choc Stars. Surplanting Roxy on later tracks is Thierry Mantuika. Drummer Zicozaco, delighting in the rattle of his un-clamped snare drum, powered them through a host of rhythms, while the singers Abeli Kelly, Denis and Bruno Bonyome, Biluala Hendryx, Juslin, Dezzy, Frank and the others pioneered vocal styles and harmonic arrangements that presaged the new wave. Supporting them were Robot, Goby, Mukuna, Crusoe and a dozen more. Comprised of college students ag

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top songs

albums

Coup de Chapeau

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The Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous

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Coup de Chapeau, The New Wave Hits Kinshasa, 1969-74

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Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous

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2000 - The Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous

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Coup De Chapeau: The New Wave hits Kinshasa, 1969-74

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congolese soukous

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Coup De Chapeau: The New Wave Hits Kinshasha 1969-74

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Joe Strummer's Playlist

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Rough Guide - Congolese soukous

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Rough Guide: Congolese Soukous

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The Rough Guide To Congolese Soukous

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