Gelukkig Nieuwjaar – Bonne Année – Best wishes

We kick off the year with some bakolo miziki, originally recorded for the Opika label in 1954.
On the line-up we find a singer from Congo-Brazzaville – Jacques Elenga Eboma – and the (later) African Jazz members Albert Taumani, Charles Mwamba (Déchaud) and possibly a very young Nicolas Kasanda (Docteur Nico). In the video we can hear the rework of the song by Gandou Gérard and his Orchestre Espérance Eboma De Brazzaville.

In Lingomba Ya Fiere  the singer tells he is proud to sing a song from his own culture (Nzembo na ngai),
along some musicians from the other side of the river (Léopoldville).

(chorus from the original song) *thanks to Pie-Aubin Mabika*

A yo Olélaka é
Lingomba moko ya fièré mama
Ya eboma Mwana Odilo
Lingomba moko ya fièré mama
Eboma espéransa

   Jacques Elenga Eboma in 1971, (©) Star du Congo

For more background on Jacques Elenga Eboma, check this excellent article on Star du Congo, coming from Clément Ossinonde (French only).