Bovick & L'Orchestre African Fiesta – Loin Du Desespoir

( Democratic Republic of Congo , 1970s , African )

posted on 17 / 05 / 2026

Following this former article, I’d like to share with “Loin Du Desespoir” (“Far from Despair” in French), an uplifting killer Afro Garage Soul Jerk Funk Organ from Democratic Republic of the Congo with fresh guitar riffs & raw grunt, taken from one of the numerous singles recorded in the 70s by the Congolese composer & singer Bovick Bondo Gala, backed here by the mythical band “Orchestre African Fiesta” founded in the early 60s by the legendary musicians Nicolas “Dr Nico” Kasanda & Tabu Ley Rochereau.

This single was released on the mythical French record label “African” founded in 1966 and specialized in Congolese music releases from big & lesser known local figures from the 60s to the 70s era (mostly Rumba music, but including a few gems like that one !).

One of the very few Congolese jerk tracks from that era, always a killer when I play it in club & my tropical DJ radio shows – Enjoy !

Bovick & L’Orchestre African Fiesta – Loin du desespoir (Democratic Republic of Congo, 1970s, African)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/S0z8_P17_mc

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Feel free to support my action to preserve musical heritage & buy my vinyl & digital reissues here : https://nangabokorecords.bandcamp.com

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Trio Bydoli – Longoka

( Democratic Republic of Congo , 1980s , Editions Sodogil )

posted on 11 / 01 / 2026

Following this former article, I wanted to share with your for today “Longoka“, a sweet Funky Afro Soukous Fusion Soul track from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with deep psychedelic Synth parts, taken from the 2nd & last LP of the “Trio Bydoli“, recorded in the early 80s in Ivory Coast on the legendary local label “Editions Sodogil”.

This band was composed with a bunch of three musicians (Bhy Gao, Domingo Salsero & Lea Lignanzi, who used the first syllables of their names for “Bydoli”) from Bangui (Central African Republic), but who quickly left their hometown to play & tour with several mythical Congolese musicians & groups, as Henri Bowane, Sam Mangwana, Orchestre Veve & Trio Madjesi.

Highly recommended & hard to find LP, full of great tracks in all kind of genres from Afrobeat to Blues – Hope you’ll like it, enjoy !

Trio Bydoli – Longoka (Central African Republic / Democratic Republic of Congo, 1980s, Sodogil Editions)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/FuwNAtxUPnU

Check also my Soundcloud for exclusive mixes & selections : https://soundcloud.com/armand_de_preseau

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical rediscovery !

Armand de Preseau

Verckys & L'Orchestre Veve – Oui Verckys

( Congo , 1970 , African )

posted on 18 / 05 / 2025

Following this former post, I wanted to share with you today “Oui Verckys“, an insane crazy 70s Afro Organ Funk Soul Mod instrumental track from Congo with catchy Organ parts & powerful horns, taken from an ultra hard to find single recorded in the early 70s by the legendary Congolese composer & musician Georges Kiamuangana Mateta aka “Verckys”, and backed by the almighty Orchestre Veve.

One of the heaviest & funkiest instrumental from Congo (and really hard to find too, unfortunately..), and one of my favorite track from the band, so hope you’ll like – Enjoy !

Verckys & L’Orchestre Veve – Oui Verckys (Democratic Republic Of Congo, 1970, African)

You can also listen to this song on my Youtube Channel here : https://youtu.be/HAvyfH6UwGI

Follow me on Instagram too for more exclusive contents : https://www.instagram.com/armand_de_preseau/

Have a nice Sunday, see you next week for another musical (re)discovery !

Armand de Preseau

Orchestre National du Congo – Ah ! Congo

( Republic Of Congo , 1976 , Editions Nationales )

posted on 02 / 01 / 2017
orchestre-congo-blog

L’Orchestre National du Congo was a band from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, founded in 1975 by Sebastien Bikouta.

They recorded this album in 1976, with the help of the Congolese Ministry of Culture.

I decided to make you (re)discover the track “Ah ! Congo”, a splendid now classic afro funk track (I really advise you this record, plenty of beautiful tracks !).

Orchestre National du Congo – Ah ! Congo
Have a nice sunday evening,
Armand

African Grooves

A Time & Space Journey in the African & West Indies Countries