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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLOVE, M'Pongo(b M'Pongo Landu, '56, Kinshasha, Zaire; d '96) African female singer-composer, known as 'La Voix du Zaire'. Crippled with polio at age four, nevertheless determined to pursue music as a career; worked as a secretary after high school but soon turned pro. Toured East Africa '77; on return performed at World Festival of Black Arts (FESTAC) in Lagos; first LP L'Afrique Danse '77 followed by La Voix du Zaire on Safari Ambience label, backed by excellent session musicians Eko Roosevelt, Jules Kamga, Vicky Edimo, Alhadji Toure; by the '80s she was established as one of the best of Zaire's talented crop of female singers. Femme Commer‡ante '83 incl. Sammy Massamba and Dino Vangu; Basonguer '84 was considered by many to be her best album, with Bopol on bass, Wuta May helping with vocals. She toured Scandinavia '84 to mark the Year of the Disabled; M'Pongo Love Chant Alexandre Sambat was released '85 on Invido. |