* Official release date: 6 November 2026 *
–> Pour nos lecteurs francophones: cliquez ici pour la version française de cet article <–
‘El Son de Congo’ is a new double LP compilation in our ‘Les Éditeurs Congolais’ series, focusing on the phonographic work of the first generation of Congolese record-label owners. Following a previous compilation dedicated to African Fiesta and the Vita label, Planet Ilunga turns its attention this time to two other labels managed by Roger Izeidi Mokoy also known as ‘le roi du maracas’. The compilation spans the early to mid-1960s and brings together an original selection of recordings from four different leading Congolese bands, released originally on two important Congolese music labels.
During the 1960s, Roger Izeidi was by far the most prolific entrepreneur in popular Congolese music. After Congolese independence, Izeidi successively managed the music labels Cefa, Vita, Flash, Tcheza, Paka-Siye, Hit-Parade, Otembe, and Les Artistes Réunis. He had been trained in the fifties by Bill Alexandre, the Belgian jazz player and A&R manager at Compagnie d’Enregistrement du Folklore Africain (CEFA). Together, Izeidi’s labels produced approximately 1,400 songs from the best Congolese bands at the time, spanning popular genres such as Congolese rumba, cha-cha-cha, pachanga and bolero, yet Roger Izeidi also embraced Congo’s deep folkloric music traditions as well as religious music. By carefully overseeing the labels, Roger Izeidi built a solid publishing house that would earn admiration and recognition from Kinshasa to Havana.
On this new compilation, Planet Ilunga focuses on the two labels Cefa and Tcheza, with a largely unknown and strongly Latin-tinged selection. The first side is dedicated to the Bantou Jazz series on Cefa, with songs originally recorded in November 1961 in Brussels by the iconic Congo-Brazzaville band in its formative days. Side B is reserved for the recordings of OK Jazz made in 1962–1963 in the Belgian capital for Cefa. The second disc presents an overview of the Tcheza label, active from mid-1960s through late 1960s. Planet Ilunga selected ten tracks from the two biggest bands on this label: Conga Succès and Négro Succès.
This double LP album comes with a 4-page booklet in riso print featuring the professional journey of Roger Izeidi. The heirs of Roger Izeidi kindly gave permission to release this album on Planet llunga. The album is available to order. Shipping starts today.
Release info
* double LP album with a 4-page insert in riso print: tracklist
* limited 45 rpm single available: tracklist
* liner notes in English & French
* licensed from the children of Roger Izeidi (Kinshasa/Brussels)
* numbered edition
* manufactured by Les Disques Garcia (France)
* worldwide distribution
Acknowledgements
Concept & compilation: Bart Cattaert
Notes: Max Izeidi & Bart Cattaert
Photography album & insert: courtesy of Max & Augustin Izeidi
Photography header: courtesy of Graeme Ewens (collection Bill Alexandre)
Art Direction: Fiona Oikonomidou (Heliosblue)
Proofing: Hayat Assabounti & Alastair Johnston
Audio restoration & mastering: Pieter De Wagter (EQuuS)
Lacquer cut: Michael Kuhn (Manmade Mastering)
Video editor: Konstanza Kapsali (https://konstanzakapsali.com)
Manufacturer: Les Disques Garcia (https://www.vinylegarcia.com)
My gratitude to: Max, Augustin, Annie, Martine, Cathy, Huguette, Freddy, Jolie, Nadine, Patrick, Sandrine, Sandra & Guy-Leon Izeidi, Fiona Oikonomidou, Henri Ossebi, Stefan Werdekker, Christian Van Den Broeck, David Manet, Arts-Loi, Zoi Sakka, Florent Mazzoleni, Hayat Assabounti, Alastair Johnston, Christian Ongoba, Audifax Bemba, Pieter De Wagter, Konstanza Kapsali, Louis Hautemulle, Graeme Ewens.
© 2026 Planet Ilunga
http://www.planetilunga.com
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