Opika by Dekula Band

Here is the debut album from the sensational live act Dekula Band. Centered around the legendary guitar player Dekula Kahanga (who was in the leading dance orchestra in Tanzania during the 70’s and 80’s: Orchestra Maquis Original) , this African band (based in Sweden) have been a very popular live band for the last years. Whether it's been at one of their monthly gigs at the not so glamorous club Lilla Wien in Stockholm or at bigger venues at Stockholm Jazz Festival.

Dekula Kahanga and the singer Gaby are both from Congo and with the other members coming from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal and Sweden they all bring their special influences to the infectous and hypnotic style of soukous that they have refined over the years.

And now in 2019 they have finally been into a recording studio with Sing a song fighter’s Karl Jonas to document some of their magic. These six tracks are bursting with energy, playfulness and grace from a unique band.

For the release party concert they will play at the great Afro festival Face Z in Geneva, Switzerland with legendary Stella Chiwise, Tallawit Timboctou and many more. This album is totally recommended!!

Tracklist

1.	Dr Chaurongo	3:59

2.	Zembwela	4:13

3.	Bi Bi Theresa	4:43

4.	Didier	8:15

5.	AIE Mwana	4:18

6.	Congo acoustic	3:33

Credits

released December 5, 2019

Track 1,2 and 6 written by Dekula Kahanga. Track 3 by Jean Bosco Mwenda. Track 4 by Gaby Kababa Nkomba. Track 5 by Daniel Vangarde, Jean Kluger.

Players:
1. Dr Chaurongo:
guitar: Dekula Kahanga
Bass: Sugar ray Napunyi
Drums, Talking Drums: Lalo Cissokho
Congas: Kabara Kabamba
Vocals: Gaby Kababa Nkomba
Animation: Gaby, Dekula

2. Zembwela:
guitars: Dekula Kahanga
rhythm guitar: Gaby Kababa Nkomba
2nd guitar: Göran Persson
Bass: Dekula Kahanga
Drums: Michigan Ngoie
Congas: Juan Romero
Sax: Tony Anggela
Vocals: Dekula, Gaby, Michigan

3. Bi Bi Theresa:
guitars: Dekula Kahanga
rhythm guitar: Göran Persson
Bass: Dekula Kahanga
Congas: Juan Romero
marracas, Bass Drum: Karl Jonas Winqvist
Vocals: Gaby Kababa Nkomba

4. Didier:
Vocals: Gaby Kababa Nkomba
Lead guitars: Dekula Kahangar
Rhythm guitars: Göran Persson
Bass: Sugar Ray Napunyi
Congas: Kabara Kabamba
Drums: Lalo Cissokho
Saxophone: henrik westerberg

5. AIE Mwana:
Drums: Lalo Cissokho
rhythm guitars: Dekula Kahanga
Lead guitars: Göran Persson
Lead Vocals: Gaby Kababa Nkomba
Bass: Joseph Semafumu
Backing Vocals: Siri Karlsson (Cecilia Österholm and Maria Arnberg) Accordion and Backing Vocals: Amanda Fritzén
Congas, Triangle: Juan Romero

6. Congo Acoustic:
guitars: Dekula Kahanga

Produced by Dekula Kahanga. Co-produced by Karl Jonas Winqvist.

This album was recorded at Studio Wallingatan in Stockholm.
Recorded and mixed by Ronald Bood.
Mastered by Henrik Sunbring.

Album artwork: Leo Norgren.

The front cover photo is Dekula Kahanga in Oman in 1990.

License