Beyond Skin release ‘Afghan Girl’: a story of resilience and artistic freedom
Afghan Girl is a WOMAD Foundation-supported project.
Wed, 27 August 25
Le Voyageur
Released 12 April 1992
- Maria Valencia
- Lingo Lingo
- Le Voyageur
- Ombela
- Jamais Kolonga
- Matinda
- Yoko
- Madilamba
- Zéro
Liner notes
The high-pitched, and often melancholy, tone of Wemba’s beautiful singing style is reminiscent of his traditional and rural beginnings in Kassa and of his mother, who sang traditional mourning songs for the deceased.
During the 1960s, Wemba received musical training of the highest order in Kinshasa, with legends like Tabu Ley Seigneur Rochereau and Jean Bosco Mwenda.
A younger generation of musicians, however, were intent on rebelling against the traditional rhumba style. Rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul became part of the musical vocabulary of Zaïrean youth, and Wemba was a founding member of this new wave.
This album is a synthesis of true Zaïrean feeling, with sounds and structures that are immediately accessible to the Western ear – the mark of a truly mature musician.
Further Listening
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Released 13 March 1995
Fresh and daring as ever, this world-class singer continues his ascendancy to global notoriety with total emotional impact. A brilliant blast of pop and dance rhythms make up the brightest, most accessible album of Papa Wemba’s career. -
Released 05 June 1989
Featuring a selection of the best songs from his huge back catalogue, this recording by the Zairean soukous artist was made one cold night in January, with an audience of friends and invitees dancing and clapping in the minstrel gallery of Real World Studio's Wood Room.
Further reading
‘I’m always happy on stage!’ Mari Kalkun releases live album featuring Estonian National Male Choir
The new version of the album marks an important milestone.
Fri, 30 May 25
Spafford Campbell: Erasing genre and finding gold in the embers
Jane Cornwell talks to Spafford Campbell about new album Tomorrow Held.
Wed, 10 September 25
Track of the day: ‘First Light’ by Eliza Marshall
Eliza Marshall releases the second track from her forthcoming New Birth EP. The track is called Firs...
Wed, 16 April 25