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Boundary Crossing |
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Papa Noel & Papi Oviedo (Congo/Cuba)
Song : Juliana
Album : Bana Congo (Tumi, UK)
Visit :
Elsewhere in ±«Óãtvi : Album review
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There have long been strong historical links between Congolese rumba and Afro-Cuban music. That's why a meeting between two master musicians from each tradition seems natural and was always likely to produce something rather special. Sure enough, the recent album recorded by veteran Congolese guitarist Papa Noel and Cuban tres maestro Papi Oviedo doesn't disappoint. As a result, Bana Congo has received nominations for both the MOBO and ±«Óãtv Radio 3 Awards for World Music.
Antoine Nedule Monswet was born in Kinshasa (then called Leopoldville), on Christmas day, 1940, thus earning the "Noel" nickname which became his stage name for an entire career. The city also gave birth to la rumba congolaise shortly afterwards, and he grew up in a house that rocked to the imported sounds of Cuban 78s, which formed one of the most important building blocks of the new style.
Papa Noel made his first recording in 1957 and went on to play with the cream of Congolese rumba bands, culminating in a fifteen year stint with the peerless T.P.O.K. Jazz. After relocating to Brussels, he pursued a solo career, recording much admired albums in 1984 and 1994, as well as playing with the likes of Sam Mangwana on his Gallo Negro album
(1998) and subsequently as part of the supergroup Kékélé. Despite ailing health, he also formed a live partnership with Cuban guitarist Adan Pedroso, resulting in last year's Mosala Makasi album.
Papi Oviedo is these days probably the world's leading exponent of the tres  so-called because it has three pairs of strings  and before that his father Isaac Oviedo is said to have held the title. Papi began playing professionally in the 1950s and worked with a succession of great Cuban orquestas which included TÃpica Habanera and Estrella de Chocolate. He joined the Elio Revé Orquesta in 1981 and remained with them for fifteen years before recording two albums with his own group for Tumi Records. His most recent high profile appearances have been as Omara Portuondo's smiling dapperly dressed sidekick, answering her jazz scat vocals with cool metallic licks in a comical double act which has become a highlight of her recent tours. And he also guested on Rubén González' critically lauded Chanchullo album.
Both musicians are expert but understated players who have championed the revival of an unplugged retro sensibility in their respective traditions. Bana Congo juxtaposes classic material from both their lengthy careers and gives it a new spin by emphasising the common threads, creating something new and vibrant in the process.
Jon Lusk 2002
Read your comments on Papa Noel and Papi Oviedo
More Congolese/Cuban music on Radio 3:
Congolese rumba in Bristol
South American fusion in Ipswich
Cuban bata drumming in London
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