Martin Sinnock's Guided Tour of Europe

When the invitation came from Martin Sinnock "Muana Machete" to join him in Europe, I had a sixth sense that we might encounter a fair share of Congolese music.  Martin is one of the leading authorities on the history and modern movements of Congolese music and has contributed a column to The Beat magazine for the past several years.  Before I had met Martin, I eagerly anticipated his bimonthly article in The Beat, which comprise my “Bible” of Congolese music.  Martin brings an exciting dimension to Congolese music, and it was he who introduced me to the stories and musicians behind the legendary groups such as Viva la Musica, Quartier Latin, Anti-Choc, Zaiko Langa Langa, Victoria Eleison, etc…  

Happily for me, my good friend Ethan Bloomberg, who is a radio dj and Congolese music connoisseur from the Boston area, also accepted Martin’s invitation to travel.  In the past, Ethan and I had met up to witness most of the Congolese music events that have made their way across the Atlantic to the US soil.  On this trip, however, we would experience the music in its element and where the musicians often draw a formidable audience.  

Bozi Boziana with two dancers, Live at Hoogstraten, 11 August 2000 (Photo by Martin Sinnock)

Our trip was further enhanced by the knowledge and hospitality of Winan Mignon, a veteran singer whose friendships with his musical colleagues allowed us additional behind the scenes exposure. 

In hindsight, I now realize just how fortunate we were on the trip.  The sheer number of musicians that Martin was able to introduce us to was mind-boggling.  We were able to meet the living legends of Congolese music.  Throughout our nine days in Europe, I constantly found myself stimulated by superb musical performances.  At times, I had to pinch myself to be sure that I was not dreaming.

AfricaSounds invites you to experience the most memorable moments of our trip.  Please enjoy this first contribution by Martin Sinnock to the AfricaSounds website.

Comments on this feature?  Email webmaster@africasounds.com

August 2000 European Tour

Just another normal week’s work following Congolese music in Europe (well not quite normal!):  - By Martin Sinnock "Muana Machete"

I frequently voyage from my home-base of Brighton on the South Coast of England across the English Channel (well actually under it through the marvellous Channel Tunnel) to the twin capitals of Congo music, Paris and Bruxelles.  Surely, you might say, the twin capitals of Congo music are Kinshasa and Brazzaville, and you would be quite correct; but these days there are more opportunities to record in Europe than at home in the two Congos.  Virtually every Congolese musician dreams of being in Europe, even though the realities of the business lead to disappointing financial reward.  When I am in Paris I usually manage to meet up with some musician friends or bump into a musician I have never met before.  If there is no live performance whilst I am in town I can at least usually find someone I know in one of the many recording studios where I can enjoy part of the creative process of a Congolese recording.

King Kester Emeneya, Live at the Paris Stadium Charlety, 12 August 2000 (Photo by Martin Sinnock)

I specifically planned a trip to Paris to coincide with the big stadium show scheduled for August 12 (see flyer) and featuring many of my favourite artists.  During the same weekend I was booked to DJ and to accompany Bozi Boziana and Anti-Choc in a festival in Belgium.  In general France closes down for the month of August so it is not my preferred time for pursuing musical contacts.  In this case, however, the planned line-up for the stadium concert was sufficiently impressive that I dare not risk missing the event.  I even managed to persuade some American colleagues that the show was pretty certain to happen (always risky making promises like that!) and it would certainly be worth their while coming over to receive my “Mis-guided Tour of Europe”.  This is a diary of the events of that one week:-

Tuesday 8 August

Charlie Fuller arrives at my home in the UK and we settle down for a 24 hour rummage through my Congolese archives of videos, photographs, publications and recordings.  Charlie already has a good basic collection of Congo cds but is in need of inspiration for what he needs to purchase whilst in Paris and Bruxelles.  He also needs a taste of some of the vinyl recordings that have still not been made available on cd.  After dinner and ample wine (setting the precedent for the rest of the trip) I indulge him in video footage of some of the artists we hope to see in the following few days.  This includes Papa Wemba’s beautiful Fioti-Fioti dancers (ten young feisty beauties), and King Kester Emeneya’s outrageous new dances "Kiwanzenza” and “Tshiaku Libondas”.