Keeping Franco, Tabu Ley's Rhumba spirit alive: Timeless journey of Orchestra Kekele

Orchestra Four Stars has lived the test of time and three artistes leading the charge have in the past performed with the famous rhumba bands of TP OK Jazz of Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, Afrisa International of Tabu Ley and Empire Bakuba of Pepe Kalle Kabaselle Yampanya (Photo: File/Standard, Getty Images) With the disbandment of most Congolese bands of the last century, a leading band with the same generation of musicians is still giving thousands of their fans a taste of their music. Orchestra Four Stars is the band that has lived the test of time and three artistes leading the charge have in the past performed with the famous rhumba bands of TP OK Jazz of Franco Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, Afrisa International of Tabu Ley and Empire Bakuba of Pepe Kalle Kabaselle Yampanya. Despite the death of composer and vocalist Bopol Mansiamina on November 7, 2021 while aged 72 in Paris, France, the three living legends of Syran Mbenza, Nyboma Mwandido and Wuta Mayi have carried on the legacy of Orchestra Four Stars but under a different name and in different capacities altogether. The band is survived by the three artistes who are a joy to watch in their 70s when entertaining revellers in Paris, France on weekends or when invited to do so on special occasions or at different functions. Mbenza is a guitarist, singer and composer while Mwandido and Mayi are singers and composers. Instead of sticking with the same name (Four Stars), they formed Orchestra Kekele. The trio only meets whenever they have a common cause in composing, rehearsing or performing on need arising and on special occasion. And they are still conquering the world after the demise of Mansiamina who died of a stroke four years back. Mansiamina is believed to be one of the most talented Congolese artistes in the class of Franco or Tabu Ley when he led his Orchestra Mode Success to produce popular hits like 'Pitie', 'Because of No Mone'y and 'Sameda Soir'. They at some point teamed up with the likes of Lokassa Ya Mbongo at his band or at Four Stars Band on a needs basis. Mayi said their togetherness is still there and it will not die anytime soon. "The spirit of working together that was there and kept by the four of us at Four Stars is still with us at Kekele Band after the demise of Mansimina," Mayi told Sunday Standard from Paris. However, their terms of operation is different from how they did at Four Stars. "All of us have gone solo but we team up together on needs arising in composing, rehearsing and performance under the umbrella of Orchestra Kekele where we are leaderless but work in the spirit of togetherness while keeping the fire burning," Mayi who only speaks in French and Lingala said through an interpreter, Mafwala Komba. Mayi said is full of praise for Franco and Tabu Ley terming them as the giants who shaped Africa's Rhumba music industry. "I composed and sung eight songs at TP OK Jazz Band, a development that shaped my career as an accomplished artiste at Four Stars and the days were enjoyable and memorable," said the 75-year-old musician. The eight songs Mayi composed at the Franco-led musical outfit where he lasted for eight years from 1974 to 1982 were 'Is Melu', 'Moleka', 'Basala La Vie', 'Likambo Ya Moto', 'Beyou', 'Ayant Droit', 'Tuti' and 'Lotambe'. He describes 'Ayant Droit' as his best album while with TP OK Jazz. "This song was liked in Africa, Europe and the United States of America for many years from my fans' feedback," he said. "He (Franco) made the world dance to rhumba tunes in a unique style while making headlines and no-one could not match him despite various emulations," he said of the legend. "Rhumba is there to stay and what we expect is it'll be inherited from one generation to the other," said Mbenza, who was once a member of Kass Kass Group that composed the hit song 'Hellena' in 1987. Nyboma Mwandido has been a regular visitor in Kenya at public and private functions and is famed for popular hits like 'Nina', 'Amour Perdou' and 'Moyibi' in the album 'Moyibi', which was composed in partnership with Pepe Kalle. "We cherished our days with him as we produced top hits globally before going separate ways," said Mayi of the late Mansiamina.

Keeping Franco, Tabu Ley's Rhumba spirit alive: Timeless journey of Orchestra Kekele

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