John Metcalfe announces new album and reveals first track ‘Xylem’
Tree is set for release on vinyl, CD and digitally via Real World Records on 22 September 2023.
Fri, 26 May 23
Released 12 April 1992
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
Released 13 March 1995
Released 05 June 1989
Tree is set for release on vinyl, CD and digitally via Real World Records on 22 September 2023.
Fri, 26 May 23
The album has been shortlisted for ‘Best Global Album’ and 'Best Engineered Album (non-classical...
Tue, 14 November 23
Sheila's trilogy of albums for Real World is being re-issued on CD, and on vinyl for the first time.
Fri, 28 April 23
Today sees the release of Kerieva’s ‘Chavale’, the second track to be revealed from the forthc...
Wed, 22 June 22