Tag Archives: cha-cha-cha

New Release: El Son De Congo – The Rise of Roger Izeidi: Congolese maraquero & record label pioneer

* 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
planetilunga@gmail.com

New Release: Roger Izeidi Presents Vita Matata with African Fiesta

* 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. 

African Fiesta from left to right: Joseph Mwena, Docteur Nico, Rochereau, Jeef Mingiedi, Roger Izeidi, Dechaud

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