* Official release date: 13 January 2026 *

Pour nos lecteurs francophones: cliquez ici pour la version française de cet article.

Planet Ilunga announces a double LP dedicated to the label VITA, one of the leading Congolese 1960s labels created by Roger Izeidi, legendary entrepreneur in music publishing in the 1960s Congolese rumba scene. VITA is best known for its catalog featuring the band African Fiesta, established in 1963 by three well-known musicians: Nicolas Kasanda, Tabu Ley Rochereau and Roger Izeidi.

The output of the band (232 songs) occupies an exciting chapter in the history of Congolese popular music. During the mid-1960s, African Fiesta consistently reached the top of the hit parade. The band, which back in the day positioned itself as a competitor to a current called ‘Fiesta Cubana’, breathed new energy into Congolese Rumba, continuing the tradition of the African Jazz school started by Joseph Kabasele.

The VITA label, with African Fiesta as their sole provider, besides four songs of Eduardo De Veracruz Vinagre et Son Orchestre, ran between May 1963 and early 1966. It created a spectacular legacy and back catalog full of tasteful sentiments and sensual melodies, deeply rooted in the Afro-Latin sound. This new compilation offers a few of the classic African Fiesta songs and complements them with an eclectic and original selection, divided into four thematic sides: Showcase, Rumba Lingala, Cha Cha Cha & Bolero. 

This double LP album comes with a 16-page booklet featuring the history of VITA and African Fiesta, song commentary by Congolese Rumba expert Herman Bangi Bayo (vice president of the national commission for the promotion of Congolese Rumba), and a written catalog of the VITA label. The heirs of Roger Izeidi kindly gave permission in Kinshasa to release this album of African Fiesta on Planet Ilunga.

Release info 

* Licensed from the children of Roger Izeidi (Kinshasa)
* Double LP: tracklist
*Numbered to 1000 copies
* Manufactured by Les Disques Garcia (LPs & cover) and Optimal Media (booklet) 
* Worldwide distribution by Honest Jon’s (UK), Outrenational (France), Light in the Attic (USA) & Office Sambinha (Japan)

Acknowledgements

Concept & compilation: Bart Cattaert
Notes: Herman Bangi Bayo & Bart Cattaert
Art Direction: Fiona Oikonomidou (Heliosblue)
Proofing: Hayat Assabounti & Alastair Johnston
Audio restoration & mastering: Pieter De Wagter (EQuuS)
Lacquer cut: Michael Kuhn (Manmade Mastering)

Thanks to: Max, Augustin, Annie, Martine, Cathy, Huguette, Freddy, Jolie, Nadine, Patrick, Sandrine, Sandra & Guy-Leon Izeidi, Herman Bangi Bayo, Sylvain Konko (RIP), Arafat Paluku, Fiona Oikonomidou, David Manet, Hayat Assabounti, Alastair Johnston,  Zoi Sakka, Christian Ongoba, Pieter De Wagter and Mike Grinser.

Special word of thanks to Max Izeidi for the welcoming in Kinshasa and for entrusting me with the archives of Roger Izeidi and Éditions VITA and to Liliane Kasanda for photo material.

© 2026 Planet Ilunga
planetilunga@gmail.com