Rock-a-Mambo
Orchestre Rock-a-Mambo was a Congolese rumba band from Brazzaville of the 1950s. It was a studio band of the Esengo music studio.
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.
The band often merged with the musicians from the Le [Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz|African Jazz] band and sometimes produced recordings under the title ""African Rock".
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.
Discography
Rock-a-Mambo music appears on the following albums and compilations.- 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
- Rossignol et l'Orchestre Rock 'A Mambo
- Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo
- Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 2, ESDF 1372
- Nino et l'Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo volume 3
- GROUPES CHOC DES ANNEES 50s ESDF 1372
- CONGO LATINO Columbia ESDF 1401
- ORCHESTRE ROCK-A-MAMBO NO 4
Singles