JR.Nelson - Nyan'am 1985

In 1985 JR.Nelson scored in Cameroon with the record "Nyan'am". The album released on Toto Guillaume's record label was followed by the also successful albums "Ba iyo" in 1986 and "Dia" in 1987. The following years it became silent around JR.Nelson until 1998 when he came with the CD "Wuba dibola".

♫ Clip: 1998 Wuba Dibola  
♫ Audio: 1986 Ba Iyo  

DISCOGRAPHY

Ekwe Silo

Like all young musicians of that era, Guy Ekwe Silo made his debut in school orchestras. After finishing secondary school, his parents sent him to France to continue his studies. There, he met several fellow musicians from Cameroon and picked up where he’d left off musically.

After some time, he began to make a name for himself as an accomplished rhythm guitarist and was increasingly asked to contribute as a studio guitarist to albums by artists including Jacky Doumbe, Moni Bile, Dina Bell, Penda Dalle and Charly Nelle. He has since also emerged as a highly talented songwriter. It was Maurice Foty, of the well-known duo Tim & Foty and also founder and owner of the record label Production Lanceleaux – Foty who recognised this talent and produced his first album in 1986. His second album, entitled Bye bye (Goodbye), was released in 1987, and in 1988 he formed the group Abele, with whom he released the album Corps a corps. The title track was a massive hit, taking over every dance floor in Cameroon that year. 

♫ Audio: 1988 Abele & Ekwe Silo – Corps A Corps

These were the years when Makozouk – a mix of Makossa and Zouk – was hugely popular, and Ekwe Silo also embraced this style on his next album Na ma kossa which was released in 1989. With the creative support of Justin Bowen, who handled the arrangements, and Jojo Kuoh, who took care of the drum programming, this album – featuring the hit track Eyomendi – also became a huge hit on the dance floors.

♫ Audio: 1989 Ekwe Silo – Eyomendi

♫ Clip: 1988 Abele & Ekwe Silo – Corps A Corps (Part: 3 min. 11.sec)

After spending several years in France, Ekwe Silo is returning to Cameroon to devote himself to family commitments. His musical career will therefore take a back seat, and he will not be releasing any more albums.

DISCOGRAPHY

Charlotte Mbango

Charlotte Mbango who passed away last year at the age of 49, was one of the most beloved singers of Cameroon.

Born in an artistic family (she's actually Eboa Lotin's granddaughter), Charlotte starts singing as soprano in a church choir at the age of nine . Four years later she starts her own gospel group. In 1979 she leaves Cameroun to continue her studies in Paris. In the early eighties Charlotte becomes part of the Parisian music scene and takes care of the backing vocals in numerous Afro-Antillean record sessions.

Her solo career kicks off in 1986 with the release of her first album, "Nostalgie". A very successful debut that paves the way for her second album "Konkai Makossa" in 1987. This record becomes a worldwide success rewarded by a Golden Record.

Charlotte continues in the same spirit with the albums "Maloko" (1991) and "Malea" (1996). Also in 1996 she sings a great duet "Sengato", with the late Tom Yom's and contributes with the song "Mumi" to the Syllart production "Sans Papiers Acte II". In 1998 she goes back to her musical "roots" with "Combines Religieuses", a CD with religious music.

In 2002, Charlotte starts the new millenium with the release of "Essuw'am" (Mon Combat), followed in 2003 by a "Best Of". In between she travelled all over the world to share her music on stage with her fans.

Her huge talent has been largely acknowledged and rewarded by numerous honours such as the Honorary TAMANI she got in Bamako, Mali in 2003.Her musical gift has allowed her to collaborate with established names as Manu Dibango and Paul Simon. In 2006 she released another religious record, the double-cd "Cantiques". It was her last one.

Clip: Konkai Makossa 1987

♫ 1986 Dikom Lam La Moto
♫ 1987 Bito

 DISCOGRAPHY
 



Michel Kingue 1933 - 2007

Born on 18 November 1933 in Bonakouamouang, Douala, Cameroon, Michel is passionate about music from his youth; He developed the foundations of his art with an assiduous practice of solfeggio, especially during the period during which he became a seminarian. His musical fibre is expressed and then confirmed in his favourite instrument, the clarinet.

When he met his wife in the mid-fifties, he founded his band "Les Cuban's boys" and is already a musician very popular with the public. After a stay for two years in Libreville (Gabon), Michel Kingue decides to try his luck in Europe, and in 1966 he crossed the Atlantic to settle in France. Clarinetist and saxophonist, his music appeals to the milieu, as evidenced by this interview carried out by the ORTF on his arrival in France, which presents him as a very promising artist; one of the first to evoke the "Makossa" among the Western populations. In 1973 Michel Kingue recorded "Ndok'a Munasu", a title very inspired by everyday life. Then it is the turn of "Loin la Penya" to heat the hearts, the waves and the dance-floors. Installed in Europe, Michel Kingue revolves mainly with the Orchestra of Pierre Saada, which allows him to harmoniously reconcile his private life with his life as an artist.

♫ Audio: 1973 Ndok'a Mun'asu 

♫ Audio: 1973 Longue La Penya

His discography presents a very extensive musical universe, ranging from Makossa, to salsa, through the chalouped rhythms of Rumba, and other rates of Tcha-Tcha. In the language of Douala, in French, in Pidgin, Michel Kingue sings and speaks directly to our senses, and sometimes challenges our conscience, as evidenced by the title "Ebangando". Michel Kingue has collaborated with renowned artists such as: Eitel Tobbo, Michel Eko, Manu Dibango, and many more. Michel Kingue died in Paris on 1 June 2007.

(concise) DISCOGRAPHY