N'Zong - N'Ning - As a way of life
A regular source of income to both Papa Wemba and Viva La Musica's European-based members is their work as musicians backing lesser known Congolese vocalists.
Such work is common within the Congolese-frequented recording studios of Paris and Brussels, and is known in Lingala as 'N'Zong-N'Zing'. It is a way of surviving on a day-to-day basis as African musicians within the harsh financial climate of Europe.
There are a great many CDs available on which Papa Wemba or other key musicians from Viva are involved. It is not our intention to list all of these here. Below we give details of a few that are particularly notable. Although not officially members of Viva, musicians such as these have made many fine CDs recorded with Papa Wemba and Viva, most of which are definitely worth a listen.
A regular source of income to both Papa Wemba and Viva La Musica's European-based members is their work as musicians backing lesser known Congolese vocalists.
Such work is common within the Congolese-frequented recording studios of Paris and Brussels, and is known in Lingala as 'N'Zong-N'Zing'. It is a way of surviving on a day-to-day basis as African musicians within the harsh financial climate of Europe.
There are a great many CDs available on which Papa Wemba or other key musicians from Viva are involved. It is not our intention to list all of these here. Below we give details of a few that are particularly notable. Although not officially members of Viva, musicians such as these have made many fine CDs recorded with Papa Wemba and Viva, most of which are definitely worth a listen.
The person who began such collaborations was Strevos Niarcos (Ngantshie Mombele Niarka), a Viva La Musica fanatic from the outset and a longtime close friend of Papa Wemba. Niarcos was known throughout Zaire for his outlandish behaviour, and initially rose to fame through the 1980 Viva La Musica 7" single recording, 'Jeune Premier', where he was praised on record for being number one within Wemba's 'La Sape' movement.
Dernier Coup De Sifflet, Nostalgie Personnelle, Cherie Ade, Kinshasa-Brazza, Epaka Ekomi Na 2ème Period, Kamouzo, Kinshasa Village Natal, Pelaziana
First four tracks feature Papa Wemba, originally released 1987; second four tracks include Luciana & Fataki, originally released 1988
Prolongation, Poto, Bateke, Koseka, Akwa, Vie À Zero, Ba Profiteurs, Jana
Metamorphose, Vicky Na, Piege D'Amour, La Preferer, Boffi, Otisana
Merci Papa Adieu Franco, Appel D'Urgence, Marie-France Colbach, Cyndi Loper, Henda Mon Amour, Kakembiko-Mirelle, Suzy Mirelle, Alesia, Cyndi-Loper
Jeunes En Vogue, Love Vanga, Sami Cointreau, Depuis Ba Mboka, Ado Mbengani, E Lie, Liliana Americana
Vengeance, De Pasco Dinga, Dede Nawezi, Voyage À Poto, Ami Ntela, Ba Parasites, Senzele, Rompre Le Silence, Sophie, Felizance, Depuis Bamboka
Guy Matondo, Mère Eve, Ba Mbila, Souvenir Tino, Mobange, Lolango Parisien, Femme Congolaise, Instrumental de Guy Matondo
Rerelease of Lipordo's 1st LP (1990) with bonus tracks
Femme Congolaise, Méchant Garçon, Mobange, Marthe Shungu, Déception Marius, Pourquoi Pas Moi, Tsha, Instrumental
Motambo, Arrestation Immédiate, Mina Plaisir, Ushuaia, Guy Malo, Alida Libandi, Kisakata, Kunde Lupin, Banpangi, Papa Abeba
Fille Unique, Ange Lina, Amour D'Intérèt, Thova Milandu, Sebene, Bongolowase, Au Revoir niarkos, Déception, Gene, Instrumental
Le Pomba, Équation Noni, Signe Particulier, Effervescent, Le Pomba (Ambiance)
1st CD by composer of songs from Viva LP 'Ya Biso Moko'
Sirenne, Bidoda-Doda, Mozindo, Fleuve De Mon Coeur, Reve, Don D'Amour, Conderoyale, Elanga
Mbuta Di Mbuta, Libumu Ya Nzala, Exit Ya 24h 00, Ouragan, Fête De La Mère, Cérémonie Nuptiale, Deplay Ya Lolango, Nazala Ata Rescape
A Wembaless Cour Des Grand provide excellent backing to Santa's first CD.