Melanie by l'Orchestre Afrisa International

"Melanie is all about musicianship: groove, guitars--ooooh what guitars!--brass, and lusciously layered, impeccably arranged vocals.... Since long before Buena Vista Social Club, the notion of past veterans coming back to the stage and studio for a twilight run has tugged at heartstrings. Rarely has it been done this well. On Melanie the old guard show us all how it’s done--case closed." --Afropop Worldwide

"Afrisa International is one of the world’s greatest bands. Its pedigree begins in the 1950s with Orchestre African Jazz, the foundational ensemble of modern Congolese music, which included the young songwriter and singer called Rochereau, who went on to lead an African Jazz reformation, African Fiesta, which he later renamed Afrisa International around the time that he renamed himself Tabu Ley. This band has always featured excellent singers, instrumentalists, composers and arrangers, and its repertoire of enthralling love songs and dynamic dance pieces is unsurpassed. Even after Tabu’s death in 2013, Afrisa remains in peak form." -- Ken Braun, Author of Tabu Ley Rochereau: The Voice of Lightness

"Lead guitar is handled by Dino Vangu on the first six tunes and by Huit Kilos Nseka on the last five. Both provide sparkling melodies that toss in the occasional flashy, fast run among their inventive embellishments to the tune. These long-ish workouts never break a sweat, but lock into the groove and keep the embers glowing for the dancers, or anyone looking to warm up the flow of their day." -- Marty Lipp, RootsWorld

Tracklist

1.	Mela	8:14

2.	Jalousie Mal Placee	9:17

3.	Ma Fille	7:55

4.	Kaful Mayay	7:43

5.	Karibou Ya Bintou	5:52

6.	Micheline	7:02

7.	Mela (Tacoma)	7:25

8.	Ma Fille (Tacoma)	6:17

9.	Amour Nala	5:30

10.	Tu As Dit Que	7:08

11.	Muzina	7:00

Credits

released December 15, 2016

Lead sax: Modero Mekanisi (1-6, 9)
Lead vocals: Wawali Bonane (1, 4-6, 9-11), Habiba Batantu (3), Dodo Munoko (8, 2), Djeffard Lukombo (2)
Chorus vocals: Wawali Bonane (2, 4-9, 11), Dodo Munoko (2, 4-9, 11), Djeffard Lukombo (2, 4-9, 11), Habiba Batantu (1, 3)
Lead guitar: Dino Vangu (1-6), Huit Kilos Nseka (7-11)
Rhythm guitar: Dino Vangu (1-3, 5, 6), Huit Kilos Nseka (4, 7-11)
Mi-solo guitar: Dino Vangu (1-3, 6) Huit Kilos Nseka (2, 5, 7-10)
Bass guitar: Ngouma Lokito (1-11)
Drums: Parigo Asuka (1, 2, 4-11), Abro Moke (3)
Congas: Jim Schafer (1-6, 9, 10), Parigo Asuka (11)
Trombone: Roy Brown (2, 8, 10), Ross McCrae (1, 3, 10)
Trumpet: Valentine Ntumba (1, 3, 10), Kabert Kabasele (1, 3, 10), Nathan Chollar (2, 8, 9, 10)
Tenor, Baritone sax: Brett Cummings (2, 5, 6, 9)
Keys: Jordani Sarreal (11)

Musical direction by Modero Mekanisi. All compositions by Tabu Ley Rochereau, except “Ma Fille”, by Mekanisi Modeste. Arrangements by l’Orchestre Afrisa International. Produced by Doug Auerbach. Recorded by Mark Simmons at Pacific Recording Studios, Tacoma and Don Guy at Dongital Studios, Paris. Mixed and mastered by Mark Simmons. ℗ 2016 Colomotion Records. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws.

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