A feast of Vintage Verckys

Now, at last, RetroAfric is ready to announce another stunner from the heart of the Congo. Our upcoming release, scheduled for July, is the sensational Orchèstre Vévé, Vintage Verckys (RETRO15CD).

This collection of 10 tracks was compiled in association with Verckys Kiamuangana Mateta, the creator of Orchèstre Vévé and one of the most influential figures in the history of Congolese (Zairean) music.

As a saxophonist, composer and bandleader Verckys was able to rival both Franco and Rochereau. He developed his own honking, gutbucket style of sax playing which characterised some of the most exciting music of the 1960s and 70s. Verckys was a great showman who liked to play up to the crowd. He really let fly during the sebenes, occupying a musical space which had previously been the preserve of solo guitarists only. After generating some raucous excitement as a member of OK Jazz he founded Orchèstre Vévé in 1969. He has been credited with introducing the cavacha beat that led on to soukous. In effect, Verckys' unique studio sound, his unerring ear for talent and unquenchable enthusiasm turned him into the godfather of modern Congolese music.

Wind yourself up into a dance frenzy with these 10 great tracks: Sakumuna, Baluti, Marcelo Tozangana , Ah Ngai Matinda, Bea, Bilobela, Londende, Mama Djele, Mikolo Mileki Mingi and Vivita.

Fundi Konde's Retrospective now reissued

Retrospective Volume 1 (RETRO8CD) is the only available album by the renowned Kenyan troubador 'Mze' Fundi Konde, who sadly died in June 2000.

The CD has been reissued with a new sleeve in tribute to this gracious and illustrious artiste. After being unavailable for several months due to unavoidable production problems, the CD should now be in most reputable record stores. If you don't see it in the World Music racks of your local retailer please ask them to order it.

African Cavalcade reprieved

The highly popular and extremely good value RetroAfric sampler African Cavalcade (RETRO11CD) was officially deleted from our catalogue last year. But wait up! A limited number of CDs have been discovered lurking in a warehouse and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Competition results

The response to our inaugural competition was sensational - if only because every one of the entrants got the answer right.

The winners, drawn at random, will be contacted soon.

Previous Newsletter