S q u e e z y t u n e s

The Introduction of Accordions to Congo

This is a re-enactment of an important moment in the history of the accordion in Africa. The Belgian Congo was the scene of many crimes against humanity. It seems that to appease the populace the rulers distributed accordions to the local chiefs. The accordion became very popular in Congo until the 1950s when the guitar took over.

Thanks to Bruce of the Accordion Noir radio show who put me on to this.

One of the early stars of Congo music before the great big bands took over, was the accordion player Camille Feruzi. This track is from the essential Golden Afrique Vol 2 double CD set on Network Records.

Camille Feruzi - Kahagwe

Mpongo Love

Music from Congo is generally guitar based, but this track by Mpongo Love features the piano heavily and is quite brilliant. Oh, by the way the track is over 9mins long and there's a piano solo at about 5.15

Mpongo Love - Ndaya

Accordions in Guinea

Here's a first on Squeezytunes - accordion music from Guinea. I think this is Amadou Barry who hit the charts of Guinea back in 1994 with this type of music. If anyone out there has any better quality recordings of Amadou then please let me know, I'd love to hear it.

Benoni Rocket Record Found !

The other day I wrote about Benoni Rocket the South African Elvis sound alike.

I played the tracks to some friends and they all loved them, and agreed with me that this was something special. In fact, we wondered if this wasn't in fact a clever hoax - the tracks were just so good !

Well, I have just found a 78rpm 10" record by Benoni on Ebay.

It appears the Mr Rocket's real name is (or was) Joseph Nkhoda.

Link: Ebay auction Benoni Rocket Record
Previously on Squeezytunes: Benoni Rocket

The African Elvis !

I've written about the brilliant "Benn loxo du taccu" African music blog before, but this week something really amazing has turned up.

It's 3 songs from a band (or singer) called Benoni Rocket recorded in South Africa in the 1950s. The music is very much in the style of none of than Elvis Presley of the same period. I love it.

Click here to read about and here Benoni Rocket

See also: Previous article about Benn loxo du taccu