Rock-a-Mambo explained

Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo was a Congolese rumba 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]}

Notes and 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. Book: Stewart . Gary . Rumba on the river : a history of the popular music of the two Congos . 2000 . Verso . London . 1-85984-744-7 . 123.
3. Web site: Rockamambo . Muzikifan.com . 2009-11-01 . 2010-06-27.