Dele Sosimi’s Pick Of The Month

African bands have traditionally moved in-between countries. Since the act of playing music live engages geography more than any other style of music-making, it’s not surprising that vintage musicians were inclined to travel. When they did this, they tapped from the music and stories of those places they visited, bringing an even stronger influence of social realism into their music. During the late 1970s, there was a wave of Congolese artists who were based in Kenya, since the East African country was a melting pot for artists who performed live music in those times. Among artists who were part of this wave were Tabu Ley and Mbilia Bel, but another influential group who permeated those circles were the members of the Libert International Band. Led by the iconic guitarist Vata Mombasa (known as Le Professeur), their music was an early precursor to Soukous, whose bright, dance-led grooves would come to become a beloved Congolese sound, spreading from there to the rest of Africa. Given the brilliance of their music, it’s no surprise that Libert International Band had an accomplished group of musicians playing together. From Tebia Mbakidi to Mbubi Malanda, Kiamuangana Wazolambongo Mateta, Nzaya Nzayadio, Lusuma Aspro and Nono Nkuka among others, it’s an essential group in the evolution of Soukous, even though they played it differently and better than most of what is available now.