Rock-a-Mambo

Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo was an African jazz band from Brazzaville of the 1950s. It was a studio band of the Esengo music studio.[1]

It was reconstituted in 1963 under former member Philippe "Rossignol" Lando. This version, which lasted until the 1970s, was a launching pad for young musicians including Bopol, Wuta Mayi, Camille "Checain" Lola, and Henriette Borauzima.[2]

The band often merged with the musicians from the African Jazz band and sometimes produced recordings under the title ""African Rock".[1]

The band name is a pun with the Kongolese word rocamambu "the one who looks for problems". In a Kongolese folk tale, Rocamambu is a kind of prodigal son, who runs from home and comes back rich.[1]

Discography

Rock-a-Mambo music appears on the following albums and compilations.[3]

  • AFRICAN RETRO vol. 5 Pathé Marconi - EMI 2 C064-15962
  • AFRICAN RETRO Vol 6 Pathé Marconi - EMI 2 C064-15978
  • AFRICAN MEMORIES Pathé Marconi - EMI 2C062-15136; also C062-15810

EPs
  • Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo [Columbia ESRF 1460; also ESDF1321]
  • Rossignol et l'Orchestre Rock 'A Mambo [Columbia ESRF 1793; also ESDF 1321]
  • Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo[ESRF 1415; also ESDF 1343]
  • Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 2, ESDF 1372
  • Nino et l'Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 3 [Columbia ESDF 1380]
  • GROUPES CHOC DES ANNEES 50s ESDF 1372
  • CONGO LATINO Columbia ESDF 1401
  • ORCHESTRE ROCK-A-MAMBO NO 4 (Columbia ESDF 1403; orig: Esengo)

Singles

A large number of singles were recorded by the Esengo studio.[1][3]

References
  1. Rumba on the River: A History of the Popular Music of the Two Congos By Gary Stewart, Chapter 5: "A Change in Mentality"
  2. Stewart, Gary (2000). Rumba on the river : a history of the popular music of the two Congos. London: Verso. p. 123. ISBN 1-85984-744-7.
  3. "Rockamambo". Muzikifan.com. 2009-11-01. Retrieved 2010-06-27.


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