Bana Congo

Put together the legendary Congolese guitarist Papa Noel and the great Cuban tres player Papi Oviedo and what do you get? The answer is remarkable personal chemistry and telepathic musical communication. The result is an album of irresistible Afro Cuban rhythms that both men regard as a spiritual home coming,rich in tradition bold in execution and sheer delight on the ear. Antoine Nedule Monswet – known as Papa Noel – was born on Christmas Day, 1940 in Leopoldville, as the old colonial capital of the Belgian Congo was then called. Yet the first music he heard as a boy was not African but Cuban son on imported 78s they played on Radio Congo Belge. When he got his first guitar he taught himself to play his Cuban favourites as well as the local Congolese rumba.

2002