Album Notes

Samba Mapangala began his singing career in Kinshasa in the early 1970’s. In 1975, he moved with other musicians to Kampala, where they formed the group Les Kinois. From 1977 to 1997, he was based in Nairobi, first with Les Kinois, then with his Orchestra Virunga, which he founded in 1981.

Samba returns in 2006 to please his listeners once again, this time with the music of “Song and Dance.” We invite you to enjoy the sounds that have taken the airwaves of East Africa by storm, with tracks like “Nyama Choma” and “Adija”.

Among those joining Samba to entertain you are guitarists Syran M’Benza, Bopol Mansiamina, Caien Madoka and Dally Kimoko; Jimmy Mvondo on sax; Komba Bellow and Deba Sungu on drums and percussion; and Nyboma Mwan’dido and Dodo Munoko on vocals.

In reviewing Samba’s album Ujumbe, distinguished music critic Robert Christgau wrote, ”Everywhere he's gone, from Matadi to Kinshasa to Kampala to Nairobi to Paris to his safe Maryland home, Mapangala has brought along a tenor as sweet as a licked frenum and a tune sense that knows what it wants--no wonder he found the sway of Swahili swing so amenable.”

Experience what everyone is talking about. Take a listen to “Song and Dance”, and dance “geuka”—turn round and round!