Toyebi T¿¿

by Lokua Kanza

Overview

Not a million miles from Geoffrey Oryema, Lokua Kanza, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a lilting, pan-African style. He might not show the roots of his homeland, but this is ineffably an African record -- largely acoustic, melodic, and carried by Kanza's gentle voice. The record works best, perhaps surprisingly, when he doesn't sing in English -- in large part because the English lyrics are execrable ("Good Bye" being a prime example). He does veer into smooth jazz/R&B territory at times, which really doesn't serve him well; there's more to him than that, and the glibness has very little of the depth he manages elsewhere. He's really at his best when the sound is stripped-down, really allowing him to shine because his mellifluous voice is unmistakably the star of the show. Kanza has a future, that's beyond doubt. On the basis of this record, he'll never be a major name, but still one worth hearing across the years. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	07/30/2002
Label:	Sunnyside Communications
UPC:	0016728300322
Rank:	144069

Tracks

1. Tika Nga¿¿
2. Ndagukunda Tshane
3. Etre Heureux
4. Le Bonheur (Il Suffit d'Une Phrase)
5. Mbiff¿¿
6. Nkolo Akosunga
7. Good Bye
8. Kumbo
9. Na Mileli
10. Toyebi Te
11. Mboka
12. Come Back to Me
13. Mbana Mboye
14. Baselombo
15. Je N'Ai Pas Choisi
16. Kumisako Nkolo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lokua Kanza   Primary Artist,Clapping,Cavaquinho,Percussion,Synthesizer,Choir/Chorus,Sound Effects,Piano (Electric),Bass,Flute,Noise,Piano,Guitar,Vocals
Vanya Ibrishimova   Violin
Dimitar Dancev   Violin
Nikola Varbanov   Violin
Deyan Pavlov   Director,Conductor,String Conductor
Yassen Enchev   French Horn
Polyphonie Mongo   Vocals,Voices
Arabella Rodriguez   Percussion
Sylvain Luc   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Komba M. Bellow   Drums,Voices,Percussion
Didi Ekukuan   Bass,Voices,Percussion,Choir/Chorus
Marcellin Yace   Flute
Nicolai Gagov   Violin
Todor Gheorghiev   Celli
Ognian Constantinov   Viola
Vladislav Grigorov   French Horn
Nanko Milkov Dimitrov   Violin
Iliana Selimska   Harp
Ralitza Kazandjieva   Viola
Marin Valcianov   Bassoon
Iulita Kirova   Violin
Nicolaj Yanakiev   Violin
Ognian Stancev   Viola
Richard Epesse   Basse
Kremena Atcheva   Flute
Kostadin Yotzov   Horn (English)
Valentin Gherov   Viola
Aretha Lokua   Vocals
Petar Ganev   Violin
Simeon Stajkov   Celli
Margarita Calceva   Bass
Negina Stoyanova   Violin
Vasil Kazandjiev   Celli
Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra   Strings,Orchestra
Passi   Rap,Vocals,Choeurs,Synthesizer
Adrian Gheorghiev   Violin
Novislav Mihajlov   Violin
Greg Bondo   Percussion
Village Tamberma   Talking
Carla Lokua   Choir/Chorus
Stephy Lokua   Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

Ian Manuel   Engineer
Arnaud Dervaux   Mixing,Engineer,Assistant
Gyom   Assistant
Lucille Reyboz   Photography
Gyom Sauf   Assistant
Lokua Kanza   Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Arranger
Arabella Rodriguez   Mixing,Engineer
Tony Cousins   Mastering
Sylvain Luc   Composer
Komba M. Bellow   Arranger
Raphael Jonin   Mastering
Joelle Rouault   Executive Producer
Valentin Gherov   Leader
Hubert Decottignies   Tape Transfer
Vasil Kazandjiev   Leader
Passi   Programming
Veronique Duval   Copyist
Anne Olga DePass   Arranger,String Arrangements
Dominique Fillon   Restoration
Nicolaj Yanakiev   Leader