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By taking musical cues from Congolese luminaries as Franco Luambo & le TPOK Jazz, L'Orchestra African Fiesta with Docteur Nico and Tabu Ley Rochereau and Le Grand Kallé et l'African Jazz, Boma Bango has strived to create its own kind of improvisational music based upon the sounds from this golden age. The band was started in 2018 by musical compatriots Daniel Coolik (electric guitar/electric mandolin), Trey Boudreaux (bass), Megan Constantin (vocals/percussion), Bill Smith (congas/marimba), and Glenn Fields (drums/percussion)- and is sometimes joined by Aurora Nealand (saxophones). They reinvent old songs and write new ones in Louisiana French, just as the Congolese wrote songs in Lingala. In the same sense jazz musicians took the Great American Songbook in the 1940s and 50s and now take from popular music, Boma Bango has reworked these beautiful and almost forgotten melodies to create an alluring, tropical and exciting new sound.

On their debut record, Étranger (Foreigner), released by Valcour Records, they assembled 10 songs that present their interpretation and improvisational ideas of Congolese Rumba. A handful of the songs are instrumental versions of the originals, which highlight the rich transcendental nature of these vocal melodies. Three older songs sung originally in French are interpreted and they present two originals, written in Louisiana French. The musicians come at this music from diverse backgrounds, yet approach it with respect and a creative impulse to not recreate, but instead use these beautiful songs and melodies as a launchpad for creative exploration. Boma Bango hopes to inspire others to search for something that resonates with them- and when they find it, do the work and take a dive. Because you never know how far down the rabbit hole goes.

Sample Tracks

Tracks

1. O.K. Asuanaka Te Mpo Na Muasi
   Publisher : EPANZA MAKITA EDITIONS
   Sub-Publisher : GRANDE AVENUE SARL, HANS KUSTERS MUSIC
   Composer/Author : Michel BOYBANDA
   

2. Pitié
   Sub-Publisher : FROCHOT MUSIC CANTOS
   Composer/Author : Pascal TABU LEY
   

3. J’ai Essayé
   Publisher: Down the Rabbit Hole Music
   Composer: Daniel Coolik/Megan Constantin
   

4. Je Veux La Boire
   Publisher: Down the Rabbit Hole Music
   Composer: Daniel Coolik/Megan Constantin
   

5. Celina
   Publisher : POPULAIRES EDITIONS
   Sub-Publisher : FROCHOT MUSIC CANTOS
   Composer/Author : Gilbert YOULOU
   

6. Tshiandanda Ngalula
   Composer/Author : Nicolas Kasanda
   Copyright Control
   

7. Annie Ngai Nalinga
   Sub-Publisher : COMPTE DE RESERVE
   Composer/Author : VERCKYS
   Publisher : SOCEDIBO
   

8. J’ai Trompé Mon Amour
   Composer/Author : Victor Longomba
   Copyright Control
   

9. Les Jeunes de Beguen
   Composer/Author : Tchadé
   Copyright Control
   

10. Motema Ya Fa Fa
    (MOTEMA YA FAFA)
    Sub-Publisher : FROCHOT MUSIC CANTOS
    Composer/Author : Francois LUAMBO LOKANGA LWA DJO
    

Credits

Daniel Coolik: Electric Guitar/Mandolin & Background Vocals
Megan Constantin: Vocals &Percussion
Trey Boudreaux: Electric/Upright Bas & Background Vocals
Bill Smith: Congas, Percussion, & Marimba
Glenn Fields: Drums & Percussion
Aurora Nealand: Soprano & Alto Saxophone

Produced by Daniel Coolik
Recorded in November 2018 and May 2019 at Staffland Studio in Lafayette, LA
Engineered by Daniel Coolik
Mixed by Ivan Klisanin & Daniel Coolik

Album Cover Original Photo by Sandlin Gaither
Layout Design by Tito Chazo

bomabango.com