makossa original

zaterdag 5 april 2014

SERGEO POLO

Serge Mpollo a.k.a. Sergeo Polo was born in Deido (Douala) on November 14 1970. He was raised by his mother and his maternal grandparents. He started singing at school concerts when he was in college. In the twelfth grade he decided te become a full time singer and stopped his studies. He performed several years in night clubs where he accompanied some well known big names such as Eboa Lotin, Salle John, Ben Decca and many others.

Then he went to Paris where he married and became father to a daughter, Melissa. In November 1996 he released a duet album with "Njohreur", a former singer of "Les Sans Visas de Petit Pays". The record "Le mari d'autrui" was well received in Cameroon and in 1998 Sergeo Polo came with his first solo record "Carton rouge".

During the making of a tribute album for Eboa Lotin he met Aladji Toure, which led to the production of the record "Georgie" on Toure's label in November 2000. With three successful albums in less then five years, Sergeo Polo soon became a household name in the Makossa community. It is therefore not surprising that he managed to bring together some of the biggest names in Cameroon music for his next album "La chicotte de Papa". With the help of Guy Nsangue, Aladji Toure, Manulo, Congolese guitar wizard Caen Madoka and Jean Philippe Tamba as arranger he won a gold disc and the title of 'best artist of 2003'.

The same year he did another duet album with legendary singer Guy Lobe released as CD and DVD under the name "Cocktail". With "The Prisoner " an album released in November 2005, he stayed at the top of the Cameroonian music and in March 2006 , he was once again honored by the Cameroonian public who chose him for again as best male artist of 2005.

In 2008 he released a mini album "On est ensemble" at the request of "d'Orange Cameroun" that accompanied all events organised by the mobil operator and the Cameroon National team "Les Lions Indomptable".

♫ 2008 Clip - On est ensemble

Two years later Sergeo Polo he came with the CD "Amour à deux, amour à vie", an album produced by Toto Guillaume. The record was released on Polo's own label SP Association and contains guest appearances by renowned African artists such as, Barbara Kanam, Landry Ifouta and Mirage Supersonic. As "Roi Polo XVIII" Sergeo Polo presents himself now as a true SAPEUR ( La Societé des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes)

♫ 2010 Clip - Sanga loba

♫ 2011 Live: & Barbara Kanam

♫ 2012 Docu TV5: Cameroon dandies

In december 2013 Polo released the CD "Carte Postale". The album contains 9 tracks and includes collaborations with Kaïssa Doumbe and Ivorian Soum Bill. All the songs are written by Sergeo Polo himself except the title "Ali Baba forever".On this album that marks his 15-year career , Sergeo Polo is surrounded by big names like Guy Nsangué (Bass) , Manulo (Guitar) , Simolo Katongui (Drums , Congas and percussion) , Aubin Sandjo (keyboard ), Alain Oyono (Sax ) Yves Duray ( Flute ), David Tayorault ( arrangements etc.) . It was recorded in studios in Paris Melissa , Makassi in Douala, Cameroon and Marcadet . The mix was done by Ambroise Voundi for SP Association.

♫ 2013 - The making of "Carte postale"

♫ 2013 Clip - Efforts personnels

♫ 2013 Clip - Mon coeur bat pour toi

DISCOGRAPHY

1997

1998

2000

2002

2003

2005

2008 - On est ensemble

2010

2013

zaterdag 13 april 2013

Dina Bell 35 ans de carrière

On May 4, 2012 Dina bell celebrated the 35th anniversary of his artistic career as singer in Sarcelles - Paris.

Clip: Dina Bell 35th anniversary concert

Clip: 2009 Dima Jinda

$: Dina Bell his music is available on eMusic

♫ 1999 Mambo ma bobe

♫ Audiolink Afromontreal (to 38 Dina Bell tracks)

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Dina Bell is Born in Douala on the 28th of may 1953 under the name Dina Ebongue Charles. His father and grandfather were both musicians and so he learned to sing and play the guitar very early in his life. His teachers at the Montequieu Lycee and the minister of his local church were quick to recognize his talent. His friends and the example of Manu Dibango led him to leave aside religious music and to concentrate on Makossa music. As a teenager he starts to perform on parties and other neighborhood events during school holidays.

His first hit 'Yoma, Yoma' a 12 inch 45 rpm single,was recorded in 1978 with the help of Toto Guillaume (guitar) and Aladji Toure (bass) and spread his fame all over Cameroon. He scored a golden record with 'Yoma yoma', as he also did in 1980 with his first LP, "M'bemba iyo" (When a mother mourns her son). With the albums "Longe" (1981) and "Etom'am"(1983) he confirmed his immense talent and consolidated his position at the top of the Cameroon hit parade.

In 1982 he participated on the most outstanding compilation of Cameroon music "Fleurs musicales du Cameroun" with the song "Diana lao". This 3LP-box was produced by the Ministry of Culture of Cameroon, with the participation of several artists including Francis Bebey, Manu Dibango, Anne-Marie Nzié, Marthe Zambo, Ben Decca, Prince Eyango, Dipanda Charlotte, Henry Dikongué Sam Mbende, Jean Bikoko Aladin, Hugo Nyame, Ohandja Mama and many more.

During the following years he made several more hit albums, such as "Mboa"(1984) and "Poko poko"(1986). In 1988 he received another golden record for the album "Melodies roses". At this time in his career Dina Bell has become one of the key figures in the Douala makossa scene. His band "Bazor Systeme", founded in 1984 becomes a training school for young talented singers and musicians such as Ndedi Eyango, Guy Bilong, Jeannot Ebele and the twins Epee & Koum.

He continues his success during the 90's with albums as "Elissa" (1991), "Nika na nika" (1998) and "Tempete" (1999). The new millennium started also good for Dina Bell with the album "Tobo tobo" (2002), but in 2004 things turned wrong, when he became the victim of a violent robbery that almost costed him his life. It took several years before he was fully recovered. Ultimately, it was not until 2009 that he released a new album with the telling title "rebirth". On May 4 2012 Dina Bell celebrated the 35th anniversary of his career as singer in Sarcelles - Paris.

DISCOGRAPHY

1978 - YOMA YOMA

1980 - MBEMB'A IYO

1981 - LONGE

1983 - ETAM'AM

1984 - MBOA

1986 - POKO POKO

1988 - MELODIES ROSE

1991 - ELISSA

1998 - NIKA NA NIKA

1999 - TEMPETE

2002 - TOBO TOBO

2009 - REBIRTH

vrijdag 26 oktober 2012

Douleur - Nguila Moto

New album: Nguila Moto - Lion Man

♫ Audiolink - Dimene - 2012

A short biography

Alexandre Douala a.k.a. Douleur was born and grew up in the Deido quarter of Cameroons economic capital Douala. At the end of his first year at the College de la Salle, he begins to feel uncomfortable in the world of screwdrivers and electrical conductors. He is more inspired to sing his self written texts and as soon as he completed his education as electrician, the young Alexandre decides to explore new horizons. Without going very far in his research, he crosses his street Bonantone to Deido where he meets his cousin Sammy Njonjy, a well respected guitarist in those days.

Douleur discusses his compositions with him and eventually finds suitable melodies to express his artistic inspiration. From that moment he sings his compositions with his guitar, and began to make themselves known in his neighborhood Bonantonè.

During one of his performances his talents were recognised by the Yabassi drummer Ebeny Dihan, known by the nickname Ebeny Donals Wesley, who was the number one drummer on the Makossa recordings at that time. Douleur decides to follow Dihan to Paris in order to develop his musical career further and record his songs. Unfortunately the cooperation didn't work out and after two years of hard struggle in Paris, Douleur still stood with empty hands.

But Douleur didn't give up and continues to renew contacts in the Cameroon music community of Paris. Finally it is the multitalented Toto Guillaume (of Black Styl fame) who helps Douleur in 1984 with the production of his first LP.

Everything goes now so fast that the album is released with a black cover without further design and even a photo of the artist. The album becomes an instant success among the growing number of Makossa 'aficionados' in the Paris of the early 80's. Who is the man behind compositions like 'Lambo la tambo'and 'Ngonkele'? It is the nickname Douleur on the black cover without picture and further information which is responsable for the birth of the mysterious image of the new talent.

♫ Audiolink - Ngonkele 1984

The success of this first album with it's deep, meaningfull lyrics inspire Douleur and Toto Guillaume to continue their cooperation. In 1985 appears Douleurs second LP ''Nkumbele". Also this album is very successful and confirms Douleurs position as Makossa singer/composer. The song "Allo mademoiselle" becomes a hit in Paris, Cameroon the rest of Francophone West-Africa.

In 1986 Douleur releases his third and last LP in cooperation with Toto Guillaume. The album is a mix of catchy, danceable songs like "Mr. Mamadoua" beside songs full of emotion like "Coco", a song dedicated to the singers mother and "Wake up Africa", a tribute to the imprisoned Nelson Mandela.

With the separation from his producer Toto Guillaume starts a difficult period in the career of Douleur. This lean period comes to an end when Douleur is asked to contribute a song to an album released by drummer Guy Bilong, who brougt together several great Makossa singers under the name of Makossa Connection. Douleurs contribution entitled "Nyouma nyouma" becomes one of the most popular songs of this well received album.

In 1988 Douleur comes back with the very successful LP "Beneground" (Cemetery), produced by the Parisian "Kanibal" record label from Maurice Tanye. The album is arranged by master drummer Valery Lobe and is very successful. In 1988 and 1999 the songs "Musango" (Peace) and "Travailleur immigre", dedicated to the suffering of African migrant workers in France, fills the dancefloors of the Parisian Afro-Caribean discotheques.

After the succes of Beneground Douleaur disappeared from the music-scene in the same way as he appeared in 1983.

Video: Travailleur immigre - Live !

It took nearly ten years before Douleur came back in 1997with a new album, the cd "Fureur".

It is with this production, released on the JPS record label from Jean Pierre Saah that Douleur jumped in one time into the "major league" of the leading Cameroonian singers/composers/.

Under the direction of the omnipresent bassplayer and producer Aladji Toure, Douleur came back with an even more rich sound than before. With his Rasta look he also changed his image and for the first time he showed (a part of) his face on the album cover.

In 1999 "Fureur" is followed by the CD "Armageddon", again on the the JPS recordlabel. On this album with a guest appearance from Manu Dibango himself, Douleur continues the high level of it's predecessor.

In 2002 Douleur reached the highest peak of his career until now, with the CD "C'est magique". With the song "Gloire aux femmes" he scored a pan-african hit, who brought him the 2003 Kora All African Music Award for Best Male Artist of Central Africa.

Clip: Peux maintenant 2002

After this period of huge succes followed again a decade of silence around Douleur. Luckily

he is now back again with a new album entitled "Nguila Moto" - Lion man.